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HSE Launches Inspection Of Basement Sites In Four London Boroughs

Government Communications (NDS)

8 November 2011

In the capital, there have been two fatalities in the last year resulting from basement construction, which are usually carried out under existing homes as owners seek to increase their living space without moving. The work is technically-challenging and carries substantial risk. Key safety issues include collapse of excavations, building collapse from structural alterations, injury from handling heavy steel beams (used to create open spaces unobstructed by columns), poor access and risk to public safety from accessible open excavations. Other issues such as poor welfare facilities and lack of training are common to those found on other small refurbishment projects.Andrew Beal, HSE Principal Inspector, for City and South West London Construction said:“Each year workers are needlessly injured or killed while working on basement conversions. While some sectors of the construction industry have made real improvements in recent years, we are still concerned about standards in basement construction. “We will be on the look out for companies who are getting it right, adopting good practice or developing innovative solutions. However, where we find poor practice that is putting the lives at risk we will take action; this could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible."The inspection initiative – on 15 and 16 November 2011 – is targeting basement construction in four London boroughs: Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Wandsworth and Westminster.As well as inspections, HSE intends to run an awareness event for this sector of the construction industry on 19January 2012, aimed at getting key health and safety messages across to those involved. Firms from the industry who wish to attend the proposed HSE event should contact: Pauline Storey on 020 7556 2100 / pauline.storey@hse.gsi.gov.uk.[ends]Notes to editorsThe Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.ukFurther information on the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htmHSE information and news releases are available at www.hse.gov.uk.Press EnquiriesMatthew Hall: 0207 261 8343 / matthew.hall@coi.gsi.gov.uk Out of Hours: 0151 922 1221Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR London