HSE to launch drive against refurbishment sector to stop accidents
Posted on 18 Mar 2009 | Tagged as: Better Business, University Of Legal Matters
In a recent development, the HSE has declared its intention to crack down on around 1,500 refurbishment sites in order to deal with the severe problem of poor health standards and lack of implementation of safety regulations. The majority of the workers who died on construction sites in 2007 and 2008 were from the refurbishment and maintenance sectors, a statistic which may have prompted this action from the HSE.
Lending support to the Shattered Lives and Hidden Killer campaigns, the HSE plans to closely review prime contractors, paying particular attention to the practices and safeguards they have adopted for workers working at difficult heights, the risk of asbestos that workers may be exposed to, and good order at work sites. Making sure that staff and managers have the required level of training will go a long way in avoiding costly fines imposed by the HSE find out more about enrolling your staff onto the iosh distance learning course.
The Inspectors of HSE will be evaluating whether:
- all construction equipment is carefully installed, maintained in good condition and is being used properly
- construction sites are organised well to avoid falls and trips
- appropriate safety measures have been taken to avoid any kind of accidents for those working at height
- the risks associated with exposure to asbestos are managed satisfactorily
- the employees are briefed about risk mitigation methods.
The HSE has cautioned the contractors that stringent enforcement actions will follow if they are found to be violating the rules. Previous similar inspection drives where close to 2,500 sites were inspected nationally had resulted in enforcements being imposed on approximately one third of them.
Mr. Stephen Williams, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said that all principal contractors who disobey safety regulations would come under the scanner and face severe action if found to be violating the rules. He stressed that such a tough approach is quite necessary, as the numbers of both the injured and the dead continue to rise at refurbishment sites.
Comments Off