05.07.2004

HSE blitz in Wales leads to formal action

As part of last months FaTaL blitz throughout the UK, 44 sites in Wales were visited over a three day period at the start of the Blitz. The HSE were specifically looking for unsafe practices relating to Falls from height, site Transport and Lifting with machines.

Over 30 percent of the sites were sufficiently unsafe in these areas to warrant formal action being taken, Ten sites were issued with Prohibition notices, five sites were issued with improvement notices, which give them 21 days to remedy the problems and 14 sites agreed voluntary cessation of work until matters found to be defective were corrected.

In a damning indictment of safety while working at height, (which represent over 70 percent of deaths and serious accidents), 60% of the prohibition notices issued were in relation to lack of measures taken to prevent falls from height.

Given that the HSE publicized this blitz extensively prior to it taking place and sent out guidance notices to sites, it is astonishing that so many formal actions were instigated. Last year Wales had six deaths in construction sites out of a UK total of 72.

Chantal Nicholls HSE Principal Inspector for construction in Wales said: "During our blitz we found that standards varied from the very good to the very bad. This variation is not acceptable. To have to take formal enforcement on nearly 1 in 3 sites visited is just not good enough. 60% of the prohibition notices issued were in relation to lack of measures taken to prevent falls from height. Although this blitz is finished we will continue to inspect on a routine basis throughout the year in West Wales and the rest of Wales. We will take formal enforcement action, including prosecution if necessary, against those who flout the law. At least 12 of the contractors seen will receive further follow up visits to ensure they have taken on board lessons learnt from this blitz. I will expect to see improved standards."

Falls, transport and lifting incidents account for over 70% of all fatal injuries in construction; almost 300 people have died from these causes in the last 5 years nationally.

During the site visits, inspectors concentrated on:
F - falls arising from work at height; and
T - transport on site including mobile plant and vehicles; and
L - lifting heavy loads with cranes and other lifting machines.

Prior to the site blitz phase, HSE's construction sector issued 4 pages of free guidance to industry stakeholders; copies are available for clients, designers, planning supervisors and contractors involved in construction procurement, design and planning.

The guidance, available from the FaTaL Risks Campaign helpline on 01582 44248, [email protected] or http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction

Vertikal Comment

This first result from the HSE’s June blitz, shows that there is still a very long way to go when it comes to safe working at height in the UK,. They highlight the opportunities that exist for all “stakeholders”, for Rental companies the additional business opportunities ranging from training to provision of safer methods of access. For contractors, improved site safety and efficiency and for the HSE and all involved the ability to significantly reduce accidents resulting from falls from height on construction sites...