April 13, 2010

One-Fourth of UK’s Construction Sites Non-compliant with Safety Standards

Filed under: Biz Stuff, Health Info, Living With The Law — admin @ 3:46 am

It was recently observed that almost one-fourth of the construction sites, inspected by the HSE, were unsuccessful in passing the safety tests.

Inspectors from HSE performed checks at more than 2,000 construction sites throughout Great Britain. This was part of an exhaustive inspection campaign. Its primary goal was to lessen death and injury, in the construction industry.

During unannounced visits, inspectors concentrated on refurbishment as well as roofing work. This was primarily to see that work done at a height, was carried out in a safe manner. The inspections were also conducted to assess if the sites were in proper order. During this operation, almost 2,415 contractors were investigated.

At 470 sites, as many as 691 enforcement notices were delivered, and inspectors issued orders to cease work in 359 sites.

Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector for Construction stated that it was a matter of optimism, that several smaller companies had accorded health and safety, with due importance. Unfortunately, the inspectors had sufficient reason to initiate enforcement action on one-fourth of the sites, making it a matter of grave concern.

In the previous year, there were as many as 53 deaths and 11,264 injuries. Inspectors had assessed 1,759 sites and 2,145 contractors and subsequently, gave enforcement notices to 491 of them in a month-long operation.

It was declared that 25% of Manchester construction sites had failed to comply with safety standards. Construction union UCATT stated that the results of the investigation had empowered its campaign. They sent out a clear message to the Conservatives to rework their strategy on the issue of privatization of construction safety.

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