HSE/NE/068/08 18 February 2008

Dangerous working practices found during spot checks of refurbishment sites in Newcastle

Examples of bad and even dangerous working practices have been found by HSE inspectors during random spot checks on refurbishments sites in Newcastle.

A total of 30 contractors had an unannounced visit from the Health and Safety Executive last week and as a result five prohibition notices were issued, stopping work immediately on the sites.

Last year 77 workers died in the construction industry in the UK and over half of these were in the refurbishment sector, where the number of deaths rose by 61%. HSE aims to inspect refurbishment sites across the North East throughout February to tackle poor safety standards.

Working at height and good site order were the focus of inspections in Newcastle last week. Work was stopped immediately at sites due to concerns about working at height, woodworking machinery that wasn’t properly guarded and where a proper asbestos check had not been carried out before workers started knocking down walls. In the latter case inspectors are considering bringing a prosecution against the contractors.

In addition to the prohibition notices, three improvement notices were issued regarding good order of sites, welfare facilities and working at height.

HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Michael Brown, said: "Our inspectors were appalled at the willingness to ignore basic safety precautions. We will not tolerate poor standards and will take appropriate enforcement action proactively as well as when an accident occurs.

"However we have also found some examples of good practice at refurbishment sites in Newcastle and are pleased that some contractors displayed high levels of safety precautions.

"Our 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."

Spot checks will continue in the North East this month where 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 workforce is made aware of risk control measures.

More information is available at hse.gov.uk/construction/tripsandfalls/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 site managers, and building and plant maintenance as well as catering and hospitality and food retail and manufacturing. Extensive campaign materials will be available on the interactive campaign website hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/
2. During the summer inspection initiative HSE inspected 1,586 contractors on construction refurbishment sites throughout June and July. Previous inspection initiatives include the Fit Out Campaign in 2005 hse.gov.uk/construction/fitout/index.htm and the Watch Your Step initiative in 2006 hse.gov.uk/construction/slips/index.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: hse.gov.uk/aboutus/hsc/strategy.htm
4. HSE published the latest annual work related fatal injury statistics on 26 July 2007 which can be viewed at: hse.gov.uk/statistics/fatals.htm
5. HM Inspector of Health and Safety, Michael Brown, will be available for interview upon request.

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Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network North East.