Scottish construction infonet - Issue 1

News and initiatives

Reports on statistics of fatal injuries 2004/05

There were 72 construction fatalities between March 2004 and April 2005, a slight increase on the 2003/04 figure. However, the construction fatal injury rate fell to 3.48 deaths per hundred thousand workers. This is the lowest rate on record. In Scotland, 12 workers and one member of the public were killed.

You can read the press release and full report at www.hse.gov.uk/press/2005/c05018.htm

Construction deaths during July 2005

In contrast to the 2004/05 statistics, there was a spate of fatalities during July, including 3 incidents in Scotland:

• Fall through a fragile roof light during dismantling of an agricultural building;
• Fall into an excavation and onto reinforcement bar;
• Collapse of an excavation during construction of a slurry pit;

Incidents involving falls from height and the collapse of structures occurred throughout other parts of Great Britain:

• Fall of 2m from a working platform whilst fixing guttering at eaves level;
• Fall of 20m during construction work on an existing power station;
• Fall of 26m during installation of flooring;
• Collapse of a concrete slab during demolition work;
• Collapse of a concrete slab during refurbishment work;
• Circular saw used to cut a roof joist from a stepladder.

Some relevant free guidance can be found at:

• Work at height - www.hse.gov.uk/construction/pdf/fallsqa.pdf
• Safety in excavations - www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis08.pdf

Fit Out Campaign 3-28 October 2005

During October 2005 HSE Construction Division will undertake a GB-wide Fit Out Campaign aimed at securing the sensible control of risk from low falls, slips and trips. A significant proportion of construction major injuries are attributed to low falls (typically from a height of less than 2m) and the industry has one of the highest injury incidence rates for slips and trips.

The HSE message is that low falls, slips and trips should be treated seriously and in proportion to the losses they cause. We will focus on ‘fit out’ and similar end of project tasks including snagging. Low falls and good order issues are more common during these phases of a project.

All project teams are asked to give these subjects greater thought at planning and construction phases. More information will follow in September. Meanwhile please consider the following:

Low falls – There is a clear legal requirement to assess and control the risk of low falls. The guide to the Work at Height Regulations 2005 provides further information. Key messages are:

• Planning – carry out a risk assessment and ensure work is organised and carried out by a competent person;
• Follow the hierarchy – if you can’t avoid work at height; take steps to reduce the risk;
• Selection of equipment – there are plenty of options in the marketplace. Ensure the most appropriate piece of equipment is selected, in accordance with your risk assessment. Ladders should only be used where your risk assessment indicates other solutions (eg MEWP, tower scaffold) are not reasonably practicable or for short duration work (ie a job duration measured in minutes).

See http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/wahr.htm

Slips, trips and good order - A well ordered construction site is a legal requirement and a sign of effective management. HSE wishes to promote thinking about the safety and operational benefits that arise from good order on construction sites. During 2002/03 slips and trips accounted for 37% of all major injuries in Construction (10,458) and these injuries occurred across all trades. Success in this area can be achieved by:

• Ground – ensuring that ground in working areas is well prepared for the intended work;
• Access – providing defined pedestrian routes kept clear and free of obstructions;
• Storage – practising sound management in the procurement and storage of materials;
• Housekeeping – having effective regimes to maintain clean, tidy and well organised sites.

See www.hse.gov.uk/slips/information.htm

Safety and Health Awareness Days

HSE and our Working Well Together Campaign partners are organising a number of Safety and Health Awareness Days which will take place throughout the country in the coming months.

These one day events are aimed primarily at small/medium size enterprises with less than 50 employees, and provide advice through a series of practical demonstrations covering major issues in the Construction industry such as: Work at Height, Noise and Vibration, Workplace Transport, Electricity, Mechanical Handling, Planning and Risk Assessments, The Human Cost of Accidents, and Site Layout. In addition, a variety of exhibitors will attend these events to make the delegates aware of the wide range of safety products available.

The events take place on the following dates:

• 7th September: Dundee Ice Arena, Kingsway West, Dundee
• 4th October: Corran Halls, Oban
• 5th October: Lochaber Rural Complex, Fort William
• 9th November: Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh
• 14th March 2006: Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

Contact Ritchie McCrae (Tel:0131-2472111) for details regarding the events in Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Contact Una Wingate (Tel: 0141-2743089) for details regarding the events at Oban and Fort William.

Thank you for your interest.

August 2005