![PP Construction Safety logo and link to home page [1]](https://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/wp-content/themes/ppcs960/images/ppcslogo.jpg)
HSE CALL ON ALL TO ‘THINK HEALTH AS WELL AS SAFETY’
Industry braced for action on construction dust and other health hazards
HSE will be carrying out a “clampdown” on ‘health as well as safety’ as poor standards and unsafe work on Britain’s building sites are targeted as part of a nationwide drive by the regulator.
From 22 September 2014, in a month-long initiative, HSE Construction Division inspectors will carry out unannounced visits to sites where refurbishment projects or repair works are underway.
The visits and intended to ensure high-risk activities particularly those affecting the health of workers, are being properly managed. These include working with harmful dusts such as silica and asbestos, and other hazardous substances.
HSE inspectors will check that:
- Construction dust – exposure to silica and other construction dust is being controlled;
- Asbestos awareness – workers are aware of where they may find asbestos and what to do;
- Other health risks – noise, vibration, manual handling, hazardous substances are managed;
- Proper planning – jobs involving work at height have been identified and precautions planned;
- Safe equipment – is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
- Organised sites – to avoid trips and falls and welfare facilities which are adequate.
If unacceptable standards are found Inspectors will take immediate enforcement action.
HSE has published the Guidance to Inspectors on inspecting and enforcing on construction dust risks where inadequate standards of control are found.
One hundred health related deaths for each fatal accident
HSE is urging industry to ‘think health’ as over 30,000 construction workers are made ill by their work every year.
Philip White, HSE Chief Inspector of Construction, said:
“Industry has made much progress in reducing the number of people killed and injured in its activities, but for every fatal accident, approximately 100 construction workers die from a work-related cancer[1][1]
During the recent health initiative, enforcement action was taken on one in six sites. Time and again we find smaller contractors working on refurbishment and repair work failing to protect their workers through a lack of awareness and poor control of risks.
This isn’t acceptable – it costs lives, and we will take strong and robust action where we find poor practice and risky behaviour.
Through campaigns like this we aim to ensure contractors take all risks to their workers seriously, and not just focus on immediate safety implications. They need to put in place practical measures to keep”
Latest Construction Health and Safety News
CONTRACTOR FAILED TO REPLACE MISSING PROTECTION
Painter and decorator fractured hip in fall from landing
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020RISK OF DERMATITIS SUFFICIENT FOR PROSECUTION
Company failed to implement controls and surveillance required by COSHH
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020COSHH FAILINGS CAUSE ASTHMA AND PROVE COSTLY
Uncontrolled exposure to isocyanates during paint spraying operations
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020POLICE EMPLOYEE SHOCKED BY DATA CABLE WORK
South Wales Force fined over electric shock from ceiling void cable
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020COLLAPSE OF PUMP SET TRAPPED WORKMAN
Unsafe system of work transferring from pallet to a raised platform
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 18th February 2020MODIFIED PODIUM STEPS CAUSE FALL FROM HEIGHT
Firm failed to select and correctly assemble with necessary training
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th February 2020SCHOOL LACKED SAFE SYSTEM FOR ROOF RETRIEVAL
Workman fell from roof whilst retrieving shoe of pupil
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020ARM OF WORKMAN AMPUTATED IN CONVEYOR
Major construction materials supplier fined heavily over unsafe system
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020CONCRETE BLOCK PLANT GUARDING BREACHED
Sections of machinery perimeter safety fencing missing for months
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 11th February 2020FATAL FUEL TANK EXPLOSION DURING CUTTING
Companies failed to meet known, established and clear standards
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 10th February 2020FIRMS FINED HEAVILY OVER STUDENT FIRE RISK
Senior fire officers found “blatant disregard” for law and resident safety
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd February 2020ROOFER SURVIVED OVER 6M FALL FROM ROOF EDGE
Replacement of asbestos cement roof lacked proper planning
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 3rd February 2020CLIENT & BUILDER ACCOUNT FOR ASBESTOS FAILINGS
Asbestos survey identified ACMs which were removed without controls
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020UNSAFE USE OF SKIP LIFTER CAUSED FATALITY
Fork lift being lifted on to vehicle fell when winch wire failed under load
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020HSE CONVICTIONS DATABASE LATEST UPDATE
View current online HSE register of prosecution convictions and notices
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020OVERHEAD CABLE STRUCK BY TIPPER TRUCK
Company failed to report strike to HSE and take action on earlier incident
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE ASBESTOS BLUNDERS
Survey absent and asbestos awareness training not provided
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 30th January 2020HSE TO OVERSEE NEW BUILDING SAFETY REGIME
Government to deliver biggest change in building safety for a generation
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 21st January 2020CONTRACTS MANAGER HANDED TWO YEAR PRISON TERM
Safety fall arrest netting would have saved life of deceased workman
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 15th January 2020WORKER FATALLY INJURED BY CONCRETE BEAM
Lifting operation not properly planned, managed and supervised
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 15th January 2020TREE FELLING OPERATIONS LACKED DEFINED COMMS
Workman struck by falling tree inside “normal” exclusion zone
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020CONTRACTOR ARRESTED OVER WELFARE FAILINGS
Recalcitrant sole trader failed to attend court hearing
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020MAJOR DEMOLITION CONTRACTOR FINED £500,000
Collapse of concrete slab caused death of worker and excavator fall
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020FALL FROM LADDER WHILST CARRYING BUCKET
Contractor failed to provide basic safe lifting aids
Read the rest of this article »
Posted on 14th January 2020FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH HSE NOTICE PROVES COSTLY
Director given suspended jail term and company fined £60,000
Posted on 14th January 2020
