HSE START CRACKDOWN ON REFURB AND REPAIR PROJECTS
Inspection charging regime will hit those failing to manage projects
Starting today (18th February) unsafe practices on construction sites undertaking refurbishment or repair works are being targeted by HSE construction inspectors as part of a 4 week HSE national initiative.
Between 18 February 2013 and 15 March 2013 HSE inspectors will make unannounced visits to projects to check on how high-risk activity e.g. work at height is being managed effectively.
During inspections, HSE inspectors will look for:
- Work at height – jobs identified and properly planned with appropriate precautions in place;
- Equipment – correctly installed/assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
- Organisation – sites organised to avoid trips and falls with access free from unnecessary waste etc.; and
- Welfare – facilities which comply with minimum requirements e.g. toilets, washing facilities, rest areas etc.
During 2011/12, 49 workers were killed while working in construction and 2,884 major injuries were reported. HSE state the purpose of the initiative is to “remind those working in the industry that poor standards are unacceptable and could result in enforcement action”.
Poor management and lack of awareness is unacceptable
This is the first time that such a ‘clampdown’ has taken place since the Fee for Intervention regime has been in operation. Errant sites may now expect a substantial invoice in addition to any prosecution and downtime cost.
HSE will recover costs from all relevant parties, including clients, designers and contractors, found to be in ‘material breach’ of the law.
Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Construction, said:
“Death and injury continue to result from avoidable incidents and it is largely those engaged in refurbishment and repair work who are failing to step up to the mark. Poor management of risks and a lack of awareness of responsibilities is unacceptable.
In many cases simple changes to working practices can make all the difference, and can even save lives. Therefore if we find evidence that workers are being unnecessarily put at risk we will take strong action.
We are determined to drive the message home that site safety and worker welfare cannot be compromised.”
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
SOLVENT IGNITED DURING FLOOR CLEANING WORKS
Flammable solvent fire fought with water spreading fire further
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 13th February 2019INEVITABLE COLLAPSE OF SCAFFOLD ON TO SCHOOL
Scaffold not designed or installed to withstand foreseeable loads
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 13th February 2019HSE ENFORCEMENT WEEKLY UPDATE 13th FEB 2019
Latest online register of prosecutions and enforcement notices
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 13th February 2019OIL DRUM EXPLODED DURING HOT CUTTING WORK
Firm fined £400k after drum lid ejected causing loss of leg
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 12th February 2019ROOFLIGHT FALL ON NUCLEAR POWER SITE
Energy generating company and maintenance contractor fined
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 12th February 2019DIRECTOR PROSECUTED AFTER 6METRE ROOF FALL
Untrained worker fell through rooflight in fragile asbestos roof
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 12th February 2019HSE ALERT: MILD STEEL WELDING CANCER RISK
HSE announces enforcement action change based on new cancer evidence
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2019LORRY MOUNTED LIFTING OPERATION PROVED FATAL
Steel staircase toppled from vehicle after sling snagged
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 7th February 2019DIRECTOR AND BUSINESS IN COURT OVER DEATH
Scaffold not priced for on domestic roof-line refurbishment work
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th February 2019FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT HAZARD PROTECTION MISSING
Two businesses prosecuted after a worker fell through a fragile rooflight
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 5th February 2019STRUCTURAL SAFETY BODY LATEST NEWSLETTER
CROSS publishes reports and expert comment on a range of issues
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019FINGERS CRUSHED BY METAL FOLDING MACHINE
Steel cladding firm fined £600k over failure guard access to danger
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019ASBESTOS ILLEGALLY REMOVED AFTER SURVEY
Surveyor pricing asbestos work found contractor jumped the gun
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019SITE DUMPER PRECAUTIONS FAILED TO PREVENT DEATH
Contractor fined £600k for poor management of vehicle/people interface
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019BUILDER EXPOSED RESIDENTS TO POISONING HAZARD
Prison term for builder who put three at risk from carbon monoxide
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019POOR SEPARATION OF VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS
Logistics company fined £150,000 after driver suffers serious injuries
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 4th February 2019£1MILLION FINE OVER VEHICLE RISK MANAGEMENT
Death of workman exposed uncontrolled vehicle manoeuvring
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th January 2019ACCREDITATION IS ONLY ONE WAY TO CONFIDENCE
HSE publishes guidance on demonstrating CDM 2015 competence
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 24th January 2019PRECAUTIONS ON PAPER LACKING IN PRACTICE
Fatal fall through opening in concrete slab during work with breaker
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 24th January 2019HSE TARGETS HEALTH ON LONDON PROJECTS
Regulator starts inspection ‘blitz’ on construction sites
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd January 2019WORKMAN FELL FROM UNSECURED LADDER
Industrial cladding company failed to assess and control WAH
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th January 2019SCAFFOLDER FELL THROUGH FRAGILE ROOFLIGHT
Fall through roof leaves workman with life-changing injuries
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th January 2019ARM DRAGGED INTO CONVEYOR BELT DANGER
Workman seriously injured on first day at work in quarry
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 16th January 2019ROOF TRUSSES TOPPLED TRAPPING WORKMAN
Principal contractor failed to plan, manage and monitor project
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 16th January 2019