HSE TO STAGE 'INTENSIVE INSPECTIONS' NEXT WEEK IN GREATER MANCHESTER CRACKDOWN

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced a month-long crackdown aimed at stopping dangerous practices on building sites in Greater Manchester.

It said two days of intensive inspections will take place in Manchester, Salford, Trafford and Warrington on March 10 and 11.

Construction is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries. During 2008/09, there were five deaths and 1,339 serious injuries in the North West with 498 serious injuries and one death on construction sites in Greater Manchester.

The national inspection initiative is focusing on refurbishment or roofing work. Inspectors will make unannounced visits to ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and are in good order.

Mike Cross, HSE’s Head of Construction in the North West, said: “Each year too many workers are needlessly injured or killed while working on construction sites.

“Part of the industry has made real improvements in recent years but we are really concerned about standards in the refurbishment sector, particularly on small projects.

“It is not acceptable for one of the most dangerous industries in Britain to have a lax attitude to health and safety, especially when many injuries are completely avoidable by taking commonsense actions and precautions.

“This is the third year we have run initiatives like this. After these latest inspections, we hope that we can report back that we have found good practice and that sites are operating safely.

“However if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and, in some cases the public, at risk we will take action. This could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible.”

ENDS

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