1000 spot checks of refurbishment sites across Great Britain

E005:08 6 February 2008

Last year over half of the workers who died on construction sites worked in refurbishment, and the number of deaths on refurbishment sites rose by 61%. Today, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that throughout February it aims to inspect 1000 refurbishment sites across Great Britain, to tackle poor safety standards.

Working at height, which last year killed 23 construction workers, and good site order will be the focus of inspections and contractors can expect strong enforcement action. During a similar initiative carried out last summer, enforcement notices were issued at one in three sites visited.

Speaking after attending a number of site visits in Manchester today, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction Stephen Williams said,

"It is totally unacceptable that so many lives have been lost and continue to be put at risk on construction sites, particularly within the refurbishment sector.

"We will continue to take firm action against rogue elements who ignore safety precautions. Sites where health and safety is taken seriously have nothing to fear, but we will root out those that put lives at risk".

During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors will be looking at whether:

• Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place
• Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly
• Sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls
• Walkways and stairs are free from obstructions
• Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste
• The work force is made aware of risk control measures

More information is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/fallstrips/index.htm

Notes to editors

1. HSE will be launching the 'Shattered Lives' campaign, focusing on slips, trips and falls, on 25 February 2008. 'Shattered Lives' will target construction, and building and plant maintenance as well as catering and hospitality and food retail and manufacturing industries. Extensive campaign materials will be available on the interactive campaign website http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/
2. During the summer inspection initiative HSE inspected 1586 contractors on construction refurbishment sites throughout June and July. Previous inspection initiatives include the Fit Out Campaign in 2005 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/fitout/index.htm and the Watch Your Step initiative in 2006 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/safetytopics/falls.htm
3. 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. The Health and Safety Commission (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: http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/strategy.htm
4. HSE published the latest annual work related fatal injury statistics on 26 July 2007 which can be viewed at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
5. Stephen Williams will be available for interview upon request.

Press enquiries

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