Unacceptable performance by refurbishment sector of the construction industry

E018:08 04 March 2008

"Over one in three construction sites visited put the lives of workers at risk and operated so far below the acceptable standard that our inspectors served 395 enforcement notices and stopped work on 30% of the sites", Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive said today.

This comes after The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out over 1000 spot checks of refurbishment sites across Great Britain during February as part of its rolling inspection programme targeting poor performing sectors in the construction industry.

"We stopped work on site immediately during approximately 300 inspections because we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through serious injury. Our inspectors were appalled at the blatant disregard for basic health and safety precautions on refurbishment sites across Great Britain.

HSE will not tolerate negligence or poor safety standards on construction sites. It is totally unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk and we will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecuting those responsible. The construction industry should take ownership of this issue and do more to tackle poor standards on sites", was Mr Podger's stark warning to the refurbishment sector.

HSE's construction division reported that basic safety precautions were being flouted and issues such as work at height remain a huge 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.

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%.

During the spot checks, HSE inspectors looked at whether:

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

Refurbishment of a former hotel - most of the flooring had been removed leaving the risk of falling 3 storeys down through the building

Working on a roof without adequate edge protection

Domestic stepladder on site - broken

Complete lack of edge protection

Openings on the first floor not protected

Lack of fall protection during conversion work

Notes to editors

1. 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 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. 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: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/strategy.htm
3. HSE's latest annual work related fatal injury statistics can be viewed at: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm

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