09.07.2004

HSE 'FataL Risks' blitz shows improvements

Results from the HSE's FaTaL Risks Campaign blitz has indicated that health and safety performance in the construction industry is generally improving, although huge regional variations were reported.

During the nationwide FaTaL Risks Campaign blitz carried by last month, HSE inspectors issued a prohibition notice to approximately one in five (20 percent) of sites, halting poorly controlled construction activities. The figures show a slight improvement compared with a similar blitz carried out by the HSE in September 2003, when inspectors issued prohibition notices to one in four (25 percent) sites visited.

The North/South divide, however, was very evident. Throughout London and the South East region, the number of prohibition notices issued fell from 23 percent of sites visited in 2003 to less than 13 percent this year. Another significant improvement, albeit from an appalling result last year, was reported for Scotland and the North West where the number of prohibition notices fell from 32 percent to 26 percent, still one of the worst in the UK.

The number of prohibition notices issued in the Midlands, Wales and South West rose from 18 percent to 20 percent of sites visited, while the North East and Yorkshire jumped from 18 percent to 27 percent now the worst record in the country.

Inspectors visited 1,255 site across the country - over 90 percent of projects visited had less than 50 workers. The inspections focused on falls from height, transport and lifting operations and resulted in 240 prohibition and 74 improvement notices being served.

Commenting on the initiative, Chief Inspector for Construction Kevin Myers said: "I am pleased to see evidence of some improvement, however these results continue to cause concern, industry must improve further.

"Inspectors are still finding failure to meet basic requirements on too many projects. We are analysing these findings, and other intelligence, and will make targeted follow-up interventions and further site visits later this year to selected projects and employers.

"Inspectors will be looking to see that necessary systems are in place to deal, in a sustainable way, with the underlying causes of these shortcomings."

Falls from height risks, with 184 notices, were the subject of most prohibitions. Poor standards of scaffolding, unguarded roof edges, and risk of internal falls were predominant issues. Transport operations involving on-site vehicles and plant were subject to 17 prohibitions.

Lifting operations were prohibited on nine occasions, primarily due to failure to plan lifting operations, or because plant was unsafe or unsuitable.

Falls from height, transport and lifting operations account for over 70 percent of all fatal injuries in construction. Almost 300 people have died from these causes in the last 5 years.

The ongoing FaTaL Risks Campaign 2004 is part of an EU-wide initiative to address safety in construction. It follows the national construction Falls from Height blitz, which took place over two weeks in September 2003.