27.03.2007

HSE to target Steel erectors

The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is planning to conduct a number of inspections on large steel erection sites later this year to determine if companies are managing the use of aerial lifts correctly.

Justine Lee of the HSE construction sector safety team announced the inspection plan at the IPAF summit today saying that they will begin in October this year and run through March next year.
Please register to see all images

Justine Lee of the HSE

The inspections will follow on from the publication in June of the HSE information sheets on the management and use of aerial work platforms on site as well as the new IPAF course MEWPS for managers.

The first drafts of the information sheets have been updated to include comments from IPAF and the CPA and will shortly be sent out for wider input and comment.

Lee said "The inspections are not intended to be an enforcement exercise, it is intended to see how companies manage their platforms and to educate site staff”

She added that if inspections found instances of platforms not being properly managed, improvement notices may be served. She also said that when it came to contractors the company will not be paying as much attention to the largest operators, but are more likely to focus on the next level down that are more likely to benefit form the HSE’s help.

.