03.09.2013

Major safety purge in UK

The UK's Health & Safety Executive has launched a major site safety clampdown with over 2,000 unannounced inspections/site visits planned for the month of September.

Local HSE inspectors will be checking to ensure high-risk activities, such as working at height, are being properly managed. They will also that check welfare facilities on site are adequate and whether suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is being used appropriately.

The purpose of the campaign, which is currently planned to run for at least four weeks, is to drive home the message that poor risk management and a lack of awareness of responsibilities are not only unacceptable, but can cost lives. Each HSE region is adopting a slightly different focus, but all have working at height at the top of their lists.

Heather Bryant, HSE chief inspector of construction, said: "Often we find it is smaller companies working on refurbishment and repair work who are failing to protect their workers through a lack of awareness and poor control of risks. This initiative provides a chance to engage with these firms to help them understand what they need to do, so they can put in place the practical measures needed to keep people safe."

"However, let me be clear - if we find evidence that workers are being unnecessarily and irresponsibly put at risk we will not hesitate to take robust action. Companies who deliberately cut corners can expect to feel the full weight of the law."

Further information about the Initiative and safe-working in construction can be found online at: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/safersites/

Vertikal Comment

One hopes that campaigns such as this will make a difference, but really it needs to be more constant to ensure real change. However purges and concentration such as this can certainly help move things on.

Rental and training companies in the sector can help improve the effectiveness of this type of initiative by making sure that sloppily run sites in their area are aware of the inspections and perhaps help them change their ways – at least as far as work at height and lifting equipment is concerned.

Contractors also need to be aware that this time if they are caught taking stupid risks with employees lives, the HSE has the power to invoice them for any time it deems it needs to reform or prosecute the errant contractor.