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HSE clampdown on unsafe construction sites in Fife

Government Communications (NDS)

23 February 2011

During 2009/10, three workers died while working in construction across Scotland, two of them during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities. There were 68 reported injuries on construction sites in Fife in 2009/10.Starting on 28th February, Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be making unannounced visits to refurbishment sites throughout Fife. The focus of the HSE inspectors will be ensuring that sites are managing work at height safely and that they are in good order, as well as checking that the risk of exposure to asbestos is being properly managed In a similar campaign last year inspectors visited 276 sites and 376 contractors across Scotland. They issued 82 enforcement notices across 77 sites, and were forced to issue 62 prohibition notices to stop dangerous work – much of it relating to working from height. HSE Principal Inspector John Blackburn said: “This will be the fifth year that we have run the inspection initiative across Britain and we anticipate that that there will be examples of both good and bad practice - those where employers are taking all the measures they can to protect their workers and those where safety is way down the list of priorities. “A lax attitude to health and safety in one of the more dangerous industries is not acceptable, especially when many of the incidents are completely avoidable by taking commonsense actions and precautions. As we’ve demonstrated in previous years, we will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers at risk.“This year, as part of ensuring risks from asbestos are properly managed, we will also be checking that, where appropriate, asbestos surveys have been carried out prior to any refurbishment work. Many workers believe that, because asbestos has been banned as a building material, it’s no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn’t true. Any premises built or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos.”Notes to Editors:Inspectors are available for interview. To arrange an interview, contact COI News & PR Scotland on 0131 244 9061.1. During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors will be looking 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 > Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste 2. Falls from height remains 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. 3. Further information on the Construction Design and Management Regulations 2007 http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm.htm4. Further information on falls and trips in the construction industry http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/fallstrips/index.htm5. Further information on asbestos can be found http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htmPublic EnquiriesHSE InfoLine,Caerphilly Business Park,CaerphillyCF83 3GGTel: 0845 345 0055http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index