Safety fear over building sites

SOME construction sites in Oldham are failing to meet basic safety standards, potentially putting the lives of workers at risk.

Figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), showed they visited 11 sites in Oldham as part of new campaign to clamp down on slipshod safety standards in the construction industry.

Of the sites visited in the borough, three notices were issued for unsafe work at height and one for poor site management.

More problems were uncovered at Rochdale sites, with 11 sites visited and four notices issued of people working unsafely at height and HSE Inspector, Tom Merry, said: “It’s extremely disappointing that very basic health and safety precautions were not in place at nearly 40 per cent of the construction sites we visited in Oldham and Rochdale.

“Employers are putting the lives of their workers in danger by not using health and safety systems and, where necessary, we’re coming down hard on those who ignore the rules.

“None of the issues we had to deal with were unusual, and everybody in the industry should know what steps they need to take. People may think they can save time or money by ignoring the rules but it simply isn’t worth the risk.

“Our prime concern is to ensure the safety of workers and the public, and we will always offer help and guidance to contractors. However, if our advice is ignored we will not hesitate to take action to improve standards.”

Inspectors are hoping that the campaign, which will see them visiting sites across the North-West, will help to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in the construction industry, especially in the refurbishment, repair and maintenance sector where there were 38 deaths last year.

The sector currently accounts for 50 per cent of all construction fatalities, despite it only representing 40 per cent of all activity in the industry.

Contractors in Greater Manchester wanting guidance can contact health and safety awareness fficers at the HSE on 0161-952 8200.