Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industry

Facilities

ISSN: 0263-2772

Article publication date: 1 May 2001

421

Keywords

Citation

(2001), "Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industry", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919eab.006

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industry

Health & Safety Executive campaigns to improve standards in construction industryKeywords: Health and safety, Work-related injuries, Construction industry

Statistics released by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) show that 62 people died as a result of construction work during the first six months of 2000. This compares with 39 deaths in the same period in 1999.

The main causes of deaths and injuries during construction work in 1999-2000 and the basic steps which need to be taken to address them are:

  • Falling through fragile roofs and rooflights – prevent access, provide safety nets, cover fragile rooflights and roofing to prevent falls and to mitigate the consequences.

  • Falling from ladders – use ladders only as a means of access, and ensure they are secure at all times.

  • Falling from scaffolding and other work – provide a safe working place for all tasks. Above 2m this means double guard-rails and toe boards, during erection of scaffolding use harnesses.

  • Struck by excavators, lift trucks, dumpers and other plant – separate plant and people, and make arrangements for safe reversing.

  • Crushed by collapsing structures – follow the advice of a qualified structural engineer, use remote demolition techniques.

  • Electrocution – isolate and test before starting work on/near conductors, keep well clear of overhead power lines.

Kevin Myers, HSE chief construction inspector, said: "This level of fatalities is shocking and clearly unacceptable. We all know how people are dying and the immediate action required to prevent such tragic deaths. The solutions are straightforward and well known. I want the industry to take urgent action to address the problem."

Mr Myers continued: "We also need to change the risk tolerant culture of the construction industry, including among clients and designers … We must not lose sight of health issues in our concern to reduce the numbers of accidents."

Each year construction inspectors make about 20,000 preventive inspections, and investigate over 1,000 accidents and 7,000 complaints. In 1999 HSE issued 2,070 prohibition notices (a prohibition notice can stop some or all work at a construction site) and there were 537 convictions relating to construction work. Inspectors are currently giving particular attention to:

  • Management – eliminating hazards and controlling risks through compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, for example, by eliminating the use of fragile roof lights in new and refurbished buildings.

  • Scaffolding – controlling risks to scaffolders and to the public and other workers from falling material and scaffolding collapses.

  • Transport – segregating people from vehicles and plant, and eliminating reversing and/or ensuring the use of suitable reversing aids.

  • Asbestos – ensuring appropriate precautions are taken during work by licensed contractors, including work with asbestos insulation board.

  • Building blocks – eliminating handling of heavy blocks over 20kg, or reducing the risk from single-person repetitive lifting of these blocks.

  • Vibration and noise – eliminating or reducing risk from hand-arm vibration and noise at the design stage, and managing residual risk, particularly during scabbling, pile head removal by breaker and hand tunnelling.

Copies of Health and Safety in construction, ISBN 0 7176 1143 4, price £7.95, The Safe Use of Vehicles on Construction Sites, ISBN 0 7176 1610X Price £7.95, Electrical Safety on Construction Sites, ISBN 0 7176 1000 4, price £8.75, Health and Safety in Roof Work, ISBN 0 7176 1425 5, price £ 8.50 can be ordered online at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk or are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, COIO 2WA, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1787 881165; Fax: +44 (0) 1787-313995). HSE priced publications are also available from all good bookshops.

Public enquiries: call Health & Safety Executive's InfoLine. Tel: +44 (0) 8701 545500, or write to: Health & Safety Executive Information Centre, Broad Lane. Sheffield, S3 7HQ, UK.

Press enquiries (journalists only): Scott McLean. Tel: +44 (0) 20 7717 6918. Out of hours enquiries, Tel: +44 (0) 20 792 8 83 82.

Health & Safety Executive information and press releases can be accessed on the Internet http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/press.htm

Edited by Jenny Pickles, MCB University Press

The Editor welcomes details of new initiatives worldwide. Please e-mail jpickles@mcb.co.uk or mail to: Jenny Pickles, New Developments Section Editor, Facilities, MCB University Press, 60/62 Toller Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD8 9BY, UK.

Related articles