HSE undertaking Construction Site inspections

During October and November 2018, inspectors from the HSE’s Construction Division are aiming to target 2,000 construction sites across the country with refurbishment sites being of particular interest.

Although they are will be looking at general compliance issues, their main focus will be how health-related matters are managed. Occupational health-related areas such as hand arm vibration, noise-induced hearing loss, asbestosis and respiratory issues caused by exposure to silica and wood dust will all be looked at.

The reason for this is that for every worked killed at work in construction in 2015/16, it is estimated that a further ten workers will have died from a condition caused through work in this sector.  One of the main causes of ill-health is dust generated during the construction process such as by the cutting of stone or wood.