Construction sites failing health and safety checks

ONE in five construction firms are putting lives at risk after failing recent health and safety checks, say legal experts.

Employers are being urged to prepare for future inspections, following the latest national inspection initiative carried out by the Health and Safety Executive. 1759 refurbishment sites were visited and 2145 contractors were checked to see whether they were complying with health and safety regulations.

On 348 sites, it was found that sufficiently serious risks were being taken to warrant enforcement action; either work was stopped immediately or improvements ordered.

Around 500 enforcement notices were issued.

Neeta Laing, head of employment law at Manchester law firm Lewis Hymanson Small, said:

“The most common concern for HSE when visiting sites was unsafe work at height practices.

To avoid falling foul, construction bosses must ensure they take more care and attention when planning jobs at height.

“Employers must ensure equipment is checked and maintained regularly and walkways and stairs should always be free from obstructions. In the future, HSE inspectors could give harsh penalties for those that don’t comply.

All employers should now be carrying out a health and safety audit of their site to make sure it’s safe and that they’re fully prepared for the inspections.”

The aim of the Health and Safety Executive is to prevent death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities.