![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](https://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
HSE RESEARCH TO ASSESS ROOFWORKER CANCER RISK
Industry hears of HSE approach to managing construction health risks
At a meeting on 14 November 2012 the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) is considering an update on the HSE approach to improving standards of managing health risks in the construction industry. In particular, work carried out that will contribute to reducing the burden of occupational cancer risk highlighted by Dr Lesley Rushton.
HSE believes that:
“progress and improvements in the management of health risks in construction have not kept pace with improvements in safety performance even at the better-organised end of the industry”.
A relevant factor is the immediacy of most safety issues in comparison to the long latency of most health related conditions. The fact that many cancers for example may take many years to develop contributes to an attitude among many that “it won’t happen to me”.
Key research initiatives in progress
Two research initiatives with the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) are underway which are both anticipated to be of value in future work initiatives. These are:
- Polyclyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons – reviewing all hazardous substance exposures in the construction workplace with a view to identifying any ‘gaps’ in our knowledge to help prioritise our efforts e.g. Dr Rushton’s work identified a peak of cancer registrations due to PAH (polyclyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) exposure in construction. This research is therefore looking at all PAHs, ie. bitumen materials and coal tar pitches to establish whether this is a historical issue ( as coal tars are no longer used) or whether there is an ongoing real hazardous substance exposure issue e.g. in the roofing industry.
- Health Management Competence – looking at producing a self-assessment tool for dutyholders on their competence to manage occupational health issues. Termed ‘HeRMMIn’ (Health Risk Management Maturity Index), it is envisaged this will provide a useful leading indicator for health where little such measures currently exist.
HSE highlight that in 2010-11 more than three times as many working days were lost due to workplace ill-health (1.7 million) than due to workplace injury (0.5 million). Whilst there were 49 fatal injuries to construction workers in 2010-11, each year there may be as many as 100 times as many workers lives lost through occupational disease.
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
HSE ENFORCEMENT DATABASE LATEST UPDATE
View current online register of HSE prosecutions and enforcement notices
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th August 2019FALL PRECAUTIONS FELL BETWEEN TWO FIRMS
Contractors fined after workers at risk of falling from roof
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th August 2019SOLAR PANEL FIRM AWARE OF FRAGILE ROOF RISK
Workman suffered long-term injuries in 4m fall through rooflight
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th August 2019HSE PROSECUTE FIRM OVER RISK NOT HARM
Multiple safety failings land construction company in court
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 9th August 2019CLIENT AND CONTRACTOR FACED COURT TOGETHER
Firms breached joint duty to plan and carry our work at height safely
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019£1M FINE OVER DEATH CAUSED BY EXCAVATOR
Vehicle driver found guilty at trial alongside CDM Principal Contractor
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019CHILD DIED WHILST PLAYING ON POWERED GATE
Lack of end stop caused gate to fall on 6 year old boy
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019HSE SPEAK AT ACCESS INDUSTRY CONFERENCE 2019
AIF National Working at Height Conference November 2019
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019UK CLIENT FINED OVER UNSAFE OVERSEAS FIRM
Italian contractor found guilty despite failure to attend court
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019COMPLETE FAILURE TO RECOGNISE HAVS RISK
Specialist drilling company and director sentenced over HAVS danger
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 6th August 2019PC AND TWO OTHERS FAILED TO ASSESS WIND EFFECT
Fall of director from roof caused by ‘Storm Doris’ gust
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th July 2019MAJOR FIRM FINED £400k OVER LIFTING OPERATION
Fitter loses four fingers as load slides and falls to the ground
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th July 2019NEW HOMES LEFT IN DANGEROUS CONDITION
Fined for unsafe gas work causing fires at housing development
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 28th July 2019FIRM FINED £1M OVER EXPLOSION DURING CLEANING
Tank cleaning operation caused burns as flammable vapours ignited
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th July 2019YOUNG BRICKLAYER FELL THROUGH OPEN STAIRWAY
Firm fined over failure to install fall protection around opening
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 25th July 2019STRUCTURAL SAFETY BODY LATEST NEWSLETTER
CROSS publishes reports and expert comment on a range of issues
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019FLAT ROOF FAILED UNDER WEIGHT OF WORKMAN
Confusion over fragility proves costly for worker and business
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019PROPERTY FIRM FINED OVER FATAL FALL FROM TREE
Untrained workers using chain saw engaged to fell large sycamore
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019LANDLORD PUT PUBLIC AT RISK FROM ASBESTOS
Powered jet washing of asbestos cement sheets caused spread
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019WORKMAN FELL FROM SUSPENDED ACCESS EQUIPMENT
Health Board and maintenance firm director prosecuted
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019CONSIDERING TEMP WORKS IN PERMANENT DESIGN
Useful overview for civil and structural engineers on contemporary practice
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019FIRM FAILED TO COMPLY WITH SITE WELFARE NOTICE
Basic welfare requirements found wanting for second time
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019PRISON TERM OVER POORLY GUARDED CIRCULAR SAW
Workman lost three fingers using machine without guard and riving knife
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019COMPANY IGNORED HSE ON SILICA DUST ACTION
Worktop manufacturer failed to control dust and manage ventilation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 23rd July 2019ASBESTOS REMOVED WITHOUT SURVEY OR CONTROLS
Client fined over failure to commission refurb and demo survey
Posted on 15th July 2019
