Safety watchdog declares one in four construction sites unsafe across the Tees Valley

Date:

17 March 2011

Release No:

NE/04411

Nearly one in four construction sites across the Tees Valley were so dangerous that workers lives were being put at risk according to inspectors who visited them during the first two weeks in March.

In an initiative aimed at reducing deaths and injuries in one of Britain's most dangerous industries, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive visited 30 sites. Seven of these were found to be so far below required standards that inspectors had to issue formal enforcement notices. They were targeting refurbishment projects - the worst performing sector of the construction industry.

Several of the sites visited received enforcement notices either stopping work activities immediately or requiring improvements to be made. In total, inspectors issued two prohibition and seven improvement notices. These related to issues such as safe working at height, welfare facilities for workers and asbestos awareness training.

The latest figures show that during 2009/10 there were nearly 80 injuries during construction work on Teesside. Nationally, nearly three quarters of all fatalities occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities.

Rob Hirst, Principal Inspector for Construction, said:

"This was the fifth year of the inspection initiative and it is disappointing to find construction sites taking the same unnecessary risks with their workers' lives.

"Although there were examples of good practice, which the industry can learn from, the fact that we found unsafe conditions on seven in 30 sites is unacceptable. Companies have a responsibility to protect their workers, to help rid construction of its reputation as being one of Britain's most dangerous industries."

More information on construction safety is available at www.hse.gov.uk/construction.

Notes to editors

1. During a similar initiative last year, inspectors visited 39 sites in the North East. A total of 17 enforcement notices were issued, with many relating to working at height.
2. During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors looked 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; and
   • Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste.
3. Falls from height remain 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. A breakdown of the number of construction-related injuries in the Tees Valley 2009-10 follows:
   
   

   Hartlepool UA	18
   Middlesbrough UA	24
   Redcar and Cleveland UA	14
   Stockton-on-Tees UA	22
   Total	78

5. Further information on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm
6. Further information on falls and trips in the construction industry http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/fallstrips/index.htm
7. Further information on asbestos can be found http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

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