HSE says one in four Newcastle construction sites is unsafe
15:12 - 10/03/2011
HSE says one in four Newcastle constr...
After carrying out inspections on 37 construction sites across Newcastle during February, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that one in four were deemed unsafe.
The inspections, which specifically targeted refurbishment projects, were part of an initiative aimed at reducing the number of deaths and injuries in one of the UK’s most hazardous industries.
Refurbishment projects are the worst performing sector in regards to safety within construction and HSE Inspectors were forced to serve enforcement notices at several of the sites visited. Eight of these were prohibition notices, ordering work to be stopped immediately, while six were notices directing firms to implement safety improvements. Seven of the improvement notices were related to unsafe working at height practices.
Construction sites in Newcastle experienced over 70 injuries in the year 2009/10 and, across the entire UK, almost three quarters of fatalities at work occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance projects.
Rob Hirst, Principal 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 worker’s lives.
“Although there were examples of good practice, which the industry can learn from, the fact that we have found unsafe conditions on nine in 37 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.”
First Response Training offers a wide variety of health and safety training courses for all industry sectors, including construction. Darren Emery, Business Development Director at First Response, explains: “Serious accidents occur in the heavy industry every year. They can cost companies thousands of pounds and, in some cases, cost employees their livelihood, or even their lives.
“Simple safety procedures and appropriate training can protect workers and the general public from ill-health and injury. We can offer an IOSH-accredited Managing Safely in Construction course and a number of other special focus courses, such as an awareness course for the CDM Regulations (2007), which can be adapted to cover the responsibilities your particular role covers.
Pete Stock, E-learning and Business Account Manager at First Response Training, says: “The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, with a high number of accidents occurring on sites every year. Many of these accidents involve working at height, and falls from height can have serious consequences.
“First Response offers a short and interactive online Working at Height training course, which will inform workers about the dangers involved in working at height and the safe systems of work that they should follow. It can be completed at any time and by anyone with internet access and is a cost-effective and convenient alternative to practical training courses. We have over 40 health and safety e-learning titles.”
To find out more about any of the courses offered by First Response, please visit our website or call free phone 0800 310 2300.
The inspections, which specifically targeted refurbishment projects, were part of an initiative aimed at reducing the number of deaths and injuries in one of the UK’s most hazardous industries.
Refurbishment projects are the worst performing sector in regards to safety within construction and HSE Inspectors were forced to serve enforcement notices at several of the sites visited. Eight of these were prohibition notices, ordering work to be stopped immediately, while six were notices directing firms to implement safety improvements. Seven of the improvement notices were related to unsafe working at height practices.
Construction sites in Newcastle experienced over 70 injuries in the year 2009/10 and, across the entire UK, almost three quarters of fatalities at work occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance projects.
Rob Hirst, Principal 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 worker’s lives.
“Although there were examples of good practice, which the industry can learn from, the fact that we have found unsafe conditions on nine in 37 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.”
First Response Training offers a wide variety of health and safety training courses for all industry sectors, including construction. Darren Emery, Business Development Director at First Response, explains: “Serious accidents occur in the heavy industry every year. They can cost companies thousands of pounds and, in some cases, cost employees their livelihood, or even their lives.
“Simple safety procedures and appropriate training can protect workers and the general public from ill-health and injury. We can offer an IOSH-accredited Managing Safely in Construction course and a number of other special focus courses, such as an awareness course for the CDM Regulations (2007), which can be adapted to cover the responsibilities your particular role covers.
Pete Stock, E-learning and Business Account Manager at First Response Training, says: “The construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, with a high number of accidents occurring on sites every year. Many of these accidents involve working at height, and falls from height can have serious consequences.
“First Response offers a short and interactive online Working at Height training course, which will inform workers about the dangers involved in working at height and the safe systems of work that they should follow. It can be completed at any time and by anyone with internet access and is a cost-effective and convenient alternative to practical training courses. We have over 40 health and safety e-learning titles.”
To find out more about any of the courses offered by First Response, please visit our website or call free phone 0800 310 2300.
Make your selections below and enter your postcode (if applicable). This will provide you with information about a course in a location convenient to you
