Construction industry 'Healthy Handling' initiative

HSE press release: E002:04 - 8 January 2004

Some of the biggest causes of ill-health and injury in construction are the focus of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) initiative that will culminate in an inspection blitz of sites throughout London, East and South East England during March 2004. The initiative, titled 'Healthy Handling', is being brought to the attention of clients, designers, planning supervisors and contractors across the region.

Handling and using tools, materials and substances can result in fractures, strains, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), dermatitis, cement burns, hearing loss, hand arm vibration syndrome and consequent long term disability.

Last year 25% of major injuries in the construction industry were due to slipping or tripping while moving around construction sites. Each year it is estimated that 90,000 construction workers sustain MSDs, and 3,000 new cases of vibration white finger are diagnosed. In addition, between 5.5% and 10.5% of construction workers are thought to be sensitive to cement, which can cause dermatitis and/or burns.

During the Healthy Handling initiative and blitz HSE inspectors will be focusing on site order and organisation, lifting and carrying, wet cement and hand held vibrating equipment and tools. If not properly managed each of these topics has the potential to cause ill-health and injury to construction workers.

Commenting on the initiative, Chief Inspector for Construction Kevin Myers said: "While developing cement dermatitis or vibration white finger is unlikely to kill someone, it can result in significant injury and ultimately force someone out of their profession. Effective controls on exposure to these occupational heath risks can reduce or prevent injury and ill-health experienced by workers in the construction industry. We are now looking to clients, designers, planning supervisors and contractors to take account of these hazards well before work starts on site".

For each of the four core issues inspectors will expect to find:

Order and Organisation

• Clean, tidy and well organised sites
• Pedestrian access routes and places of work kept free of obstacles
• Materials stored and left in a safe and accessible condition

Lifting and Carrying

• Manual handling tasks eliminated by design or mechanisation
• Safe handling based on an assessment of the risk
• All workers trained in basic, safe, manual handling techniques

Wet Cement

• Assessment of risks from cement and control of exposure
• Hot and cold running water and adequate sized basins
• Regular skin inspections by a trained competent person where there is residual risk

Hand Held Vibrating Equipment and Tools

• Information on vibration and noise levels from manufacturers and hire companies
• Risk assessments carried out determining safe exposure periods
• Equipment and tools in good condition and effective maintenance systems

Further detailed information on each of these topics is available on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/construction

Notes to editors

1. Seventy-one workers were killed in the construction industry last year (2002/03). 4,780 construction workers suffered major injuries and 9,265 workers in the construction industry suffered injuries that kept them off work for more than three days in 2002/03.

2. musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are by far the most common work related illness. It is estimated that each year 1 million people in Great Britain suffered a work-related musculoskeletal injury across all industries, around half due to lower back pain. 5.7 million working days are lost per year due to work related back pain. In construction MSDs account for 8% of major injuries, 34% of 3-day injuries and 26% of all RIDDOR reported accidents.

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office