Loughborough property developer supports new safety campaign

Date:

03 March 2009

Release No:

HSE/EM/880

A Loughborough-based property developer is supporting a new Health and Safety Executive campaign designed to build awareness among those involved in developing property as part of their business.

Rob Page, who manages Loughborough-based firm Mercian Building Services, specialises in developing properties. Rob said:

"It's important in this industry to make sure safety is always a priority, particularly during a time when there may be a temptation to cut corners, just to save money. But in the long term it's not worth it.

"I'm proud to say that myself and my colleagues have never experienced any injuries while working on a property, but it's good to know that this HSE website is targeting developers, giving us free help and advice."

Frank Lomas, Principle Inspector for HSE construction in the region said:

"Tragically, last year, 38 people died on these types of projects and many more were injured or suffered ill-health because of poor health and safety practices. Whether you think of yourself as a property investor, developer or renovator, everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the number of serious and sometimes fatal incidents."

The health and safety regulator is launching this awareness raising campaign after it discovered that many people - particularly those in Leicestershire- developing property for business do not know about the legal responsibilities clients have under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007).

HSE statistics nationally show a startling snapshot of the repair, refurbishment and maintenance sector:

• Between 1999 & 2007, 340 people died
• Last year (2007/08) alone, it was responsible for over half (52%) of construction fatalities, some 38 deaths, with falls from height and electrocution accounting for most of these.

Frank Lomas concluded: "If you see yourself as a property developer, I would urge you to visit hse.gov.uk/property for free advice on what you need to know and what you need to do."

• Hi-res photo 1 [957KB]
• Hi-res photo 2 [732KB]

Notes to editors

1. The HSE Board has overall responsibility for occupational health and safety regulations in Great Britain, and HSE and Local Authorities are the enforcing authorities that work in support of the Board. For more information on health and safety at work visit www.hse.gov.uk
2. Property developers can visit www.hse.gov.uk/property
3. For more information on CDM 2007 regulations please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm
4. Advertising, media interventions & direct mail will all play their part in a communications campaign by the HSE that aims to increase awareness amongst property developers of their health and safety responsibilities. HSE will also be exhibiting at the Landlord & Buy to let Show 20-21st March in partnership with Working Well Together and key stakeholders to aid this process.
5. This campaign, only applies to those developing property to sell, let or to use by way of trade, business or other undertaking. It does not apply to domestic clients doing work on their own homes, the home of a family member or a home they intend to live in. Domestic clients do not have duties under CDM2007
6. Photographs, HSE spokespeople & other resources are all available.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR East Midlands.