HSE warns construction workers 'don't take the risk'

E034:07 11 September 2007

"Nearly 1 in 3 construction refurbishment sites inspected put the lives of workers at risk", Stephen Williams, HSE Head of Construction said today.

This startling figure comes after The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out over 1500 inspections as part of its rolling inspection programme, resulting in enforcement action on 426 occasions in just two months.

Stephen Williams said,

"We stopped work on site immediately during 244 inspections because we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through serious injury. It is completely unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk. Our inspectors were appalled at the apparent willingness to ignore basic safety precautions

"The simple fact is that despite knowing what they should be doing, too many people are prepared to allow bad practices to continue, even though last year 39 people died on refurbishment, repair and maintenance sites

"We are determined to tackle this issue head on and will continue to take enforcement action against those rogues who flout safety precautions. Let me be clear to all those who put lives at risk - we will continue to carry out further inspections and will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecution".

Work at height remains the biggest concern. Over half of the enforcement action taken during this inspection initiative was against dangerous work at height, which last year led to the death of 23 workers.

Stephen Williams continued,

"My advice to those who work in the refurbishment sector is to plan work, use competent workers and if working at height use the right equipment and use it safely".

Welcoming the Secretary of State's decision to hold a construction forum to discuss safety standards in the construction industry, HSE confirmed that inspectors will continue to target falls and trips in the refurbishment sector as part of their ongoing work.

More guidance and advice is available at hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm

Notes to editors

1. HSE inspected 1586 contractors on construction refurbishment sites throughout June and July. This inspection initiative follows on from the Fit Out Campaign in 2005 and the Watch Your Step initiative in 2006.
2. Reducing the number of injuries and deaths from trips and falls is a priority for HSE to help the construction industry meet its accident target by 2010. HSC published its Strategy for workplace health and safety in Great Britain to 2010 and beyond on 23 February 2004. The strategy aims to promote a vision of health and safety as a cornerstone of a civilised society and to achieve a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world. The strategy is available at: hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/strategy.htm
3. HSE published the annual work related fatal injury statistics on 26 July 2007 which can be viewed at: hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
4. Stephen Williams, HSE Head of Construction will be available for interview upon request.

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