Britain's HSE Making 1,000-Plus Construction Site Inspections in June and July
Trying to reduce deaths and injuries caused by falls from height and slips and falls on construction sites nationwide, Britain's Health and Safety Executive announced June 6 that its personnel will conduct more than 1,000 site inspections in June and July. HSE said 24 of the 59 deaths of workers on construction projects last year were caused by falls from height, and 2,000 of the 4,000 other major injuries reported by this sector involved falls of either type.
"The figures speak for themselves, and we are going to tackle the issue head-on with enforcement-led inspections," HSE Chief Inspector of Construction Stephen Williams said. "Of course, the key to success will be support from construction workers and the industry itself. However, we are prepared to take action against those who carelessly flout safety precautions with devastating effects to workers and their families." HSE said its inspectors will focus on making sure the correct steps are taken during work at any height to prevent falls and will check sites' housekeeping procedures to ensure paths, corridors, and stairwells are free of obstructions.
"It is unacceptable that so many lives are being lost by falls and trips, especially when simple precautions can significantly reduce the risk. Employers must ensure that workers are competent and have access to the right equipment," Williams added. "Sensible measures like keeping walkways on site clear must be taken to see an improvement in safety."