HSE’s 2014 initiative to raise poor standards on construction sites

Posted on September 23, 2014

In 2013 the HSE carried out 2,607 unannounced visits to construction sites and inspectors found that basic safety standards were not being met on 1,105 of them.

On 644 sites, practices were so poor that enforcement action was deemed necessary to protect workers – 539 prohibition notices were served, ordering dangerous activities to stop immediately; and 414 improvement notices were issued requiring standards to improve.

This year’s initiative will take place between 22 September and 17 October and the HSE’s message is clear: Health as well as safety!!

The HSE’s construction inspectors plan to carry out unannounced visits to sites where refurbishment projects or repair works are underway.

This is the ninth annual initiative and building on from previous campaigns, HSE inspectors will be looking to ensure that high-risk activities, particularly those affecting the health of workers, are being properly managed.

What do the HSE aim to do?

The main aims for the targeted inspection are as follows:

To achieve an improvement in industry standards, in particular at small sites;
To increase awareness of the HSE’s expectations of the industry;
To demonstrate that the HSE will use the enforcement tools at its disposal to prevent immediate risk and bring about sustained improvements.

What will an inspector look for?

During inspections, the HSE will consider whether:

Risks to health from exposure to dust such as silica are being controlled;
Workers are aware of where they may find asbestos, and what to do if they find it;
Other health risks, such as exposure to noise and vibration, manual handling, hazardous substances are being properly managed;
Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions, such as proper support of structures, are in place;
Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
Sites are well organized, to avoid trips and falls, walkways and stairs are free from obstructions and welfare facilities are adequate.