HSE clampdown on unsafe construction sites in Newcastle

Date:

14 February 2011

Release No:

NE/023/11

Over the next two weeks, construction sites in Newcastle will be visited as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

During 2009/10, there were 440 injuries as a result of construction activities in the North East, including one fatal injury.

Refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities will be the main focus of these latest inspections by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

On the unannounced visits - starting today (14 February) - HSE inspectors will ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and that they are in good order, as well as checking that the risk of exposure to asbestos is being properly managed.

During a similar initiative last year, inspectors in the North East visited 39 sites and issued 17 enforcement notices to stop dangerous work - much of it relating to working from height.

Rob Hirst, HSE's Principal Inspector of Construction, said:

"This is the fifth year that we have run the inspection initiative across the North East and we anticipate that that there will be examples of both good and bad practice - those where employers are taking all the measures they can to protect their workers and those where safety is way down the list of priorities.

"A lax attitude to health and safety in one of the more dangerous industries is not acceptable, especially when many of the incidents are completely avoidable by taking commonsense actions and precautions. As we've demonstrated in previous years, we will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers at risk.

"This year, as part of ensuring risks from asbestos are properly managed, we will also be checking that, where appropriate, asbestos surveys have been carried out prior to any refurbishment work. Many workers believe that, because asbestos has been banned as a building material, it's no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn't true. Any premises built or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos."

Notes to editors

1. 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
2. A breakdown of construction injuries in the North East 2009-10 by local authority area is included in the following table:
   
   

   County Durham	County Durham UA	70
   	Darlington UA	19
   	Total	89
   Northumberland	Northumberland UA	57
   	Total	57
   Tyne and Wear	Gateshead MBC	34
   	Newcastle-upon-Tyne City of	74
   	North Tyneside Council	39
   	South Tyneside M B C	35
   	Sunderland City of	34
   	Total	216
   Cleveland	Hartlepool UA	18
   	Middlesbrough UA	24
   	Redcar and Cleveland UA	14
   	Stockton-on-Tees UA	22
   	Total	78
   Total		440

3. Falls from height remains one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction sector in Great Britain, with more than five incidents recorded every day.
4. Further information on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm
5. Further information on falls and trips in the construction industry http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/fallstrips/index.htm
6. Further information on asbestos can be found http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

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