Construction blitz

Dangerous practices and unacceptable conditions were found by the HSE in a month-long inspection blitz of construction sites.

Poor standards or dangerous practices were found at two out of five (40%) or 691 out of 1,748 sites inspected.

One in five (21%) or 360 sites inspected in the repair and refurbishment sector required formal enforcement action so poor were their practices. The blitz resulted in the issue of 313 prohibition notices and 235 improvement notices.

The most common issues found by the HSE related to working at height and falls (42%), failure to control dust (12%), insufficient welfare (12%) and asbestos (10%).

Steve Murphy, general secretary of the UCATT construction union, called the findings “simply appalling” as “time after time employers are putting workers in danger”

Even more appalling is the fact that “most construction workers never see an HSE inspector unless a major accident has occurred,” Murphy said.

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/forty-per-cent-of-construction-sites-fail-health-and-safety-spot-checks

www.ucatt.org.uk/hse-construction-inspection-results-show-appalling-safety-failings