Text entered

Safety Watchdog declares one in four construction sites unsafe along the Yorkshire Coast

Government Communications (NDS)

7 March 2011

In an initiative aimed at reducing deaths and injuries in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive made 66 site visits and a total of 17 were found to be so far below required standards that inspectors had to issue formal enforcement notices. The HSE Inspectors were visiting hotels, B&Bs and entertainment venues along the Scarborough, Whitby and Filey coastline focusing on refurbishment projects − the worst performing sector of the construction industry - where owners are carrying out renovations or maintenance prior to the tourist season starting. Several of the sites visited received more than one enforcement notice either stopping work activities immediately or requiring improvements to be made. In total, inspectors issued 14 prohibition and five improvement notices, with 12 of the notices relating to unsafe work being carried out at height.During 2009/10, more than 140 workers were seriously injured while working in construction across North Yorkshire, compared with 833 injuries in Yorkshire & the Humber as a whole. In the same period one North Yorkshire worker was fatally injured while working at height , one of six deaths to be recorded in the region. Alasdair Green, Inspector for Construction, said:“This was the fifth year of the inspection initiative and it is disappointing to find construction sites taking the same unnecessary risks with their workers’ lives. “Although there were examples of good practice, which the industry can learn from, the fact that we found unsafe conditions on one in four sites is unacceptable. Companies have a responsibility to protect their workers, to help rid construction of its reputation as being one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.”Nationally nearly three quarters of all fatalities occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities.More information on construction safety is available at www.hse.gov.uk/construction.ENDSNotes to Editors:Table of results1. Last year HSE inspectors visited more than 150 sites and 180 contractors in a four-week campaign in Yorkshire & the Humber. As a result, they had to issue 34 Prohibition Notices to stop dangerous work - much of it relating to working from height - and serve over 50 Improvement Notices. 2. During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors looked at whether:  Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place; Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly; Sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls; Walkways and stairs are free from obstructions; and Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste.3. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction sector in Great Britain, with more than five incidents recorded every day.4. Further information on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm5. Further information on falls and trips in the construction industry http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/fallstrips/index.htm6. Further information on asbestos can be found http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htmPress enquiriesHelen Atha 0113 346 6083 or Helen.atha@coi.gsi.gov.uk Out of hours HSE Press Office 0151 922 1221Public enquiriesHSE’s Infoline 0845 345 0055Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly, CF83 3GGISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH & SAFETY EXECUTIVE BY HELEN ATHA, COI NEWS & PR, YORKSHIRE & HUMBER.