Safer sites HSE inspection initiative underway

HSE construction inspectors are carrying out a major inspection and enforcement initiative targeting the refurbishment sector within construction.

The initiative started last week and will continue until Friday 27th September 2013. It will be similar in scope to interventions in 2006/07 and 2012/13.

The HSE has identified three broad aims for their activity:

• to drive improvements in industry standards, in particular at small sites

• to increase the construction industry’s awareness of what the HSE expects of it

• to demonstrate that, where necessary, the HSE will use the enforcement tools at its disposal.

The initiative will focus on the main causes of accidents and ill-health in refurbishments, which include: Falls from height
• Asbestos

• Structural stability

• Site good order

• Respirable silica

• Site welfare facilities

The HSE won’t restrict inspections to these areas alone but will look at all aspects of a site’s operations.

If you need guidance on site safety, the team at Aegis can advise. We can also offer independent third party site safety inspections which can identify issues ahead of an inspection by the HSE.