Construction sites target of safety blitz

Health and safety inspectors are cracking down on dangerous practices on Oldham building sites.

There were 37 serious injuries on sites in the borough last year, and the Health and Safety Executive is raising awareness of risks with a month-long campaign.

Construction is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries with five deaths and 1,339 serious injuries in the North-West in 2008-9.

The HSE’s inspection initiative will target refurbishment or roofing work, and inspectors will make unannounced visits to check staff are working at height safely.

Last year, inspectors visited 274 sites across the region and issued 97 enforcement notices during a similar month-long initiative.

Mike Cross, HSE’s head of construction in the North-West, said: “Each year too many workers are needlessly injured or killed while working on construction sites.

“Part of the industry has made real improvements in recent years but we are really concerned about standards in the refurbishment sector, particularly on small projects.

“It is not acceptable for one of the most dangerous industries in Britain to have a lax attitude to health and safety, especially when many injuries are completely avoidable by taking common sense actions and precautions.

“After these latest inspections, we hope that we can report that we have found good practice and that sites are operating safely.

“However if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and, in some cases, the public at risk we will take action. This could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible.”

More information on construction safety is available on the website www.hse.gov.uk/construction