In the construction industry, health and safety is key to ensuring jobs are completed efficiently, by deadline and, crucially, without danger or harm to anyone on site. Even the slightest cutting of red tape can be a risky manoeuvre – especially in commercial developments, which can be taller and involve heavier materials than a residential build.
It is worrying, then, that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 61 of the 215 sites they recently inspected were failing to adhere to guidelines. What is more, 27 sites were forced to cease operations with immediate effect following the serving of prohibition notices.
The inspection took place in the west of England over the course of a month, with all sites lying within Avon, Wiltshire, Somerset and Gloucestershire. Safety inspectors were said to be concerned that almost a third of the sites failed inspections, and called for stricter punishments for those failing to follow guidelines.
However, the principal inspector for the west of England, Andrew Kingscott, wanted to make it clear that the majority of sites inspected met guidelines and were deemed perfectly acceptable. According to him, some sites are letting down the industry.
He said; “Poorly erected scaffolding, exposure to dangerous types of dust and inadequate washing facilities were among the poor standards we found on some sites.
“I hope, by carrying out these spot checks, we will help to raise awareness of the dangers and reduce the number of construction workers being killed or seriously injured at work.”
According to HSE, in the 2011/2012 year there were three employee deaths on construction sites across the west of England, while a further 131 workers sustained serious injuries. The national total amounted to 49 deaths and in excess of 2,800 serious injuries.
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