Safety watchdog declares fifth of region's construction sites unsafe

Date:

17 March 2011

Release No:

HSE/NW/05ResultsCGMM

Nearly one in five construction sites recently visited in the region were so dangerous that workers' lives were being put at risk, according to inspectors.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited 219 sites in Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside as part of an initiative aimed at reducing deaths and injuries in one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

A total of 41 sites were found to be so far below the required standards that inspectors had to issue formal enforcement notices.

The four-week initiative, which was launched on 14 February, saw inspectors target refurbishment projects − the worst performing sector of the construction industry.

Several of the sites they visited received more than one enforcement notice either stopping work activities immediately or requiring improvements to be made.

In total, inspectors issued 56 prohibition and 59 improvement notices, with nearly half relating to unsafe work being carried out at height.

The latest figures show that more than 1,000 construction workers were injured in the North West last year, and eight lost their lives. Nationally nearly three quarters of all fatalities occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities.

Wayne Crumpton, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction, said:

"This is 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 half of the sites we visited in the three counties is simply 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. Prohibition notices are served where there is immediate danger and the work must stop immediately, while the issue is resolved. Improvement notices set a timeframe for a particular situation to be resolved, but work can continue.
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. 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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