Work at Height a Cause for Concern
The
Head of Construction for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed
this week that nearly a third of construction refurbishment sites inspected put
the lives of workers at risk.
Stephen
Williams said that this alarming figure emerged after the HSE carried out over
1500 inspections as part of its rolling programme, resulting in enforcement
action on 426 occasions in just two months.
He
explained: “We stopped work on site immediately during 244 inspections because
we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through
serious injury. It is completely unacceptable that so many lives have been put
at risk.”
Mr
Williams said that the HSE inspectors were appalled at the apparent willingness
to ignore basic safety precautions.
Work
at height remains the biggest concern. Over half of the enforcement action
taken during this inspection initiative was against dangerous work at height,
which last year led to the death of 23 workers.
“My
advice to those who work in the refurbishment sector,” Mr Williams continued,
“is to plan work, use competent workers and, if working at height, use the
right equipment and use it safely.”