In this edition we are bringing to your attention details of activities that HSE is planning to undertake during June and July 2007. These initiatives will focus largely on falls from height which continue to be the main cause of work related deaths, and trips which are one of the main causes of serious injuries. We hope that you will read the guidance available on HSE’s website and take sensible precautions to minimise the associated risks on site.

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In this issue

• Trips and falls in construction
• Ladders Exchange
• New Polish translation
• CONIAC – Open Meeting June 25 2007
• Recent court cases
• CDM – Parliamentary Debate
• Research Report: Health and safety in public sector procurement
• Feedback

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Trips and falls in construction

Throughout June and July 2007 HSE Construction Division Inspectors aim to carry out over 1,000 targeted site inspections looking at the issues of low falls and good order.

We will be checking to see if you are:

• Getting it right when working at height.
• Keeping your site in good order.

• More about Trips and falls in construction

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Ladders Exchange

Ladder Exchange is a local initiative that will take place throughout June and July 2007. HSE and our partners in Local Authorities, ladder manufacturers and hire companies are planning a series of events in the summer aimed at ladder users in building and plant maintenance and will also be looking at safe ladder use.

We have a simple message to ladder users. If it is right to use a ladder, use the right ladder, use it safely. If it’s not the right ladder, exchange it.  

• Ladders Exchange details

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New Polish translation

Continuing the trend by HSE to improve the standards of our website for international visitors, we now have a full Polish translation of how to contact HSE.

• Polish 'Contact HSE' page

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CONIAC – Open meeting June 25 2007

HSC’s Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) will be holding an open meeting on Monday 25 June 2007 at HSE’s offices in London. If you would like to attend the meeting please follow the link below to register your interest. Please note, seats are limited in number.

• [The meeting has already took place]

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Recent court cases

Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.

Case 1 - HSE advises good communication between firms after serious injury at construction site where workman fell five metres into an unguarded stairwell

Further information/guidance

• Falls from height

Case 2 - Company prosecuted after failure to comply with enforcement notices

Further information/guidance

• Scaffolds
• Slips and Trips
• Welfare conditions [29kb]

Case 3 - HSE warns of the need for safe working practices – company fined £75,000 after death of workman when a blocked concrete pump was being cleared

• Industry Guidance on the safe operation of concrete pumps is available from the Construction Plant Hire Association

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CDM – Parliamentary debate

An Early Day Motion was tabled on 15 March 2007 which resulted in a parliamentary debate on the CDM 2007 Regulations. This debate took place on 10 May 2007.

• Debate details

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Research Report: Health and safety in public sector procurement

HSE funded research on how well the public sector in England, Scotland and Wales meets its health and safety obligations in the procurement of construction has recently been published.

• Research report

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Feedback

We issue E-bulletins on a regular basis and would welcome your feedback and views as well as any suggestions/contributions for future articles.

Thank you to those who provided feedback on the previous editions - we have tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as possible. You can contact us at: construction-manager@bulletins.hse.gov.uk

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