Building sites facing health and safety clampdown

CONSTRUCTION sites in Birmingham and the Black Country are being put under the safety spotlight as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health.

Over the next four weeks, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be visiting sites across the region where refurbishment or repair works are being carried out. It is part of a nationwide month-long drive to improve standards in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.

Their primary focus will be high-risk activity, such as working at height, and also ‘good order’ such as ensuring sites are clean and tidy with clear access routes.
During 2010/11, 98 workers were seriously injured while working in construction across Birmingham and the Black Country. There were three deaths and 210 serious injuries across the West Midlands region as a whole.

Jo Anderson, HSE’s principal inspector for construction in Birmingham and the Black Country, said: “The refurbishment sector continues to be the most risky for construction workers. All too often straightforward practical precautions are not considered and workers are put at risk. In many cases simple changes to working practices can make all the difference.

“Poor management of risks in this industry is unacceptable. As we have demonstrated in the past, we will take strong action if we find evidence that workers are being unnecessarily put at risk.”