Inspectors clamp down on High Peak's unsafe construction sites

Date:

25 February 2011

Release No:

HSE/NW/03HighPeak

Health and safety inspectors will carry out two days of intensive inspections in High Peak from Tuesday 8 March, in a bid to reduce deaths and injuries in one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

The latest figures from the Health and Safety Executive show that, on average, a construction worker is injured in the borough every three weeks. Across the East Midlands, four construction workers were killed and there were 645 injuries during 2009/10.

Nearly three quarters of these occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities, which are the main focus of a month-long HSE initiative taking place in the region up until Friday 11 March.

Inspectors are making unannounced visits to ensure that work at height is being managed safely, sites are in good order, and the risk of exposure to asbestos is being properly managed.

During a similar month-long initiative last year, around a third of the construction sites visited in the East Midlands failed safety inspections.

Nic Rigby, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction, said:

"Far too many construction workers are being killed or seriously injured in this area. This toll must be reduced and we hope that by working with the construction industry in this way we can help to prevent many of those injuries.

"A lax attitude to health and safety in one of Britain's 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, HSE will be checking that asbestos surveys have been carried out, when appropriate, before refurbishment work starts.

Many workers believe that, because asbestos has been banned as a building material, it is no longer a threat to them. But any premises built or refurbished before 2000 could still contain asbestos.

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

Notes to editors

1. There was six injuries to construction workers in High Peak reported in 2009/10, 16 in 2008/9, 17 in 2007/8, 30 in 2006/7 and 16 in 2005/6.
2. 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; 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. 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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