HSE asks: Are you developing property?

Date:

23 February 2009

Release No:

E016:09

38 people died last year in construction refurbishment, repair and maintenance projects

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today (23 Feb) launched a campaign to increase health and safety awareness amongst those involved in developing property as part of their business.

Robert Parkes, of HSE's Construction Division, 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."

HSE has worked with stakeholders from across the construction industry to develop this campaign. Chris Tisi, who chairs the campaign stakeholder group said: "I've been involved in development of property in various capacities over 35 years and found that health and safety has to be an integral part of any project in bringing it to completion on time and to budget. In my experience a safe and healthy site is a successful site."

Bob Blackman, of Unite Union, said: "As a union that represents thousands of construction workers, we know that health and safety is extremely important. No matter how big or small your property development is, health and safety should be seen as something that helps a development run smoothly and successfully, not as a cost that can be cut."

The health and safety regulator is launching this awareness raising campaign after it discovered that many people 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 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.

Mr Parkes 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."

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.
2. Property developers can visit www.hse.gov.uk/property
3. For the latest HSE construction news, sign up for our free eBulletin at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/infonet.htm
4. For more information on CDM 2007 regulations please visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm & this press release, may also be of use: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/e07013.htm  
5. 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.
6. 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

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