Safety watchdog declares one in five construction sites unsafe in Scotland

Date:

18 March 2011

Release No:

SCO/028/11

One in five construction sites in Scotland were so dangerous that workers lives were being put at risk according to inspectors who visited them during February and 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 288 sites and a total of 53 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 more than one enforcement notice either stopping work activities immediately or requiring improvements to be made. In total, inspectors issued 50 prohibition and 10 improvement notices, with 39 of the notices relating to unsafe work being carried out at height.

The latest figures show that, during 2009/10, 3 workers died while working in construction in Scotland and there were more than 1,100 injuries. Nationally nearly three quarters of all fatalities occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities.

Jeanette Reuben, Head of Construction Scotland, 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.

"We know construction is an industry capable of getting it right, as the majority of sites we inspected showed.

"But fact that we found unsafe conditions on one in five 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

Table of results in Scotland:

1. During a similar month-long initiative last year, 77 of the 376 sites inspectors visited in Scotland failed safety inspections. A total of 62 prohibition notices were issued, stopping work activities immediately, all of them relating to work at height.
2. During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors looked at whether:
   1. Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place;
   2. Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
   3. Sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls;
   4. Walkways and stairs are free from obstructions; and
   5. Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste.
3. Inspectors can issue -
   1. A prohibition notice is served where there is immediate danger and the work must stop immediately, while the issue is resolved.
   2. An improvement notice that sets a timeframe for a particular situation to be resolved, but work can continue.
4. 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.
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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