Safety swoops see one-in-five refurb sites shut

Grant Prior 12 years ago
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Nearly one in five refurbishment sites were ordered to stop work immediately during a recent safety blitz by the HSE.

The month long campaign saw inspectors visit a total of 2,363 sites with 631 enforcement notices served for poor practices and 451 notices ordering that work stop immediately.

Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said: “This initiative has once again shown us that the majority of construction employers do take their responsibilities to their workers seriously.

“However, our inspectors also encountered numerous examples of poor practice, from lack of edge protection on stairwells and scaffolding to unsafe storage of flammable materials and inadequate personal protective equipment.

“None of these are acceptable on a modern construction site.

“HSE will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers against reckless employers. It is they who continue to make construction one of the most dangerous industries in which to work.”

The blitz took place across the country between 18 February and 15 March.

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Prohibition notice served – no edge protection whilst working at height

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Flammable materials stored unsafely

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