Safer sites – targeted inspection initiative September 2013

Safer sites – targeted inspection initiative September 2013

HSE Construction Inspectors will carry out a major inspection and enforcement initiative targeting the refurbishment sector, from 2 to 27 September 2013.  This will build on the success of similar interventions in the years 2006/07 to 2012/13.

What the initiative does

The main aims of the initiative are:

• to achieve an improvement in industry standards, in particular at small sites
• to increase awareness of HSE’s expectations of the industry
• to demonstrate that HSE will use the enforcement tools at its disposal to prevent immediate risk and bring about sustained improvements

What inspectors look for

The September 2013 initiative will focus on the main causes of accidents and ill-health in refurbishment, including:

• falls from height^[1]
• site good order^[2]
• structural stability^[3]
• asbestos^[4]
• respirabile silica^[5]
• welfare^[6]

HSE uses the inspection initiatives to reinforce its message to the construction industry that poor standards, particularly regarding the above issues, are unacceptable and liable to result in HSE taking enforcement action.

Source: HSE