HSE clampdown on unsafe construction sites in Wales

Date:

16 February 2011

Over the next month, construction sites in Wales 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, 503 workers were injured and one worker died while working in construction across Wales. UK-wide, 42 workers died and nearly three quarters of these occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities. Therefore, refurbishment will be the main focus of the latest Wales-wide inspections being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in throughout February and March 2011.

On the unannounced visits, 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.

Paul Harvey, HSE's Principal Inspector of Construction in Wales, said:

"For many years we've been running this concentrated inspection initiative across Wales 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

Number of construction related injuries / fatalities in Wales by local authority in 2009/10.

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

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales