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HSE finds 40% of construction sites fail in duty to protect workers from accident and injury (17 November 2014)

Date: 17/11/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, HSE finds 40% of construction sites fail in duty to protect workers from accident and injury

A month-long inspection of the construction industry by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revealed that 40% of construction sites are failing to protect workers adequately.

HSE inspectors visited 1,748 construction sites and found that safety conditions at one in five were so poor that formal enforcement action was required.

Simple, straightforward management and planning could have resolved most of the issues, HSE said.

The inspections focused on health risks and 35% cent of the enforcement notices served involved issues such as management of asbestos, failure to control exposure to harmful dusts, noise and vibration – and insufficient welfare on site.

Failure to provide basic safety measures for those working at height was the most common issue found by Inspectors – with 42% of all enforcement notices served for this failing.

HSE’s Chief of Construction, Philip White, said:
“These results show that, while the majority of employers in the refurbishment sector are getting it right, a significant part of the industry is seriously failing its workers.

“The inability to properly plan working at height continues to be a major issue, despite well-known safety measures being straightforward to implement.

“It is just not acceptable that Inspectors had to order work to stop immediately on over 200 occasions because of dangerous practices.

“We also find health is often overlooked, as its implications are not immediately visible; however, the effects of uncontrolled exposure to deadly dusts such as asbestos and silica can be irreversible.

“We urge industry to ensure the most basic of measures – such as use of protective equipment and dust suppression methods – are put in place to help protect the future health of workers.”

Duncan Lewis Personal Injury Solicitors – Construction Accident Claims

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of personal injury solicitors – and can advise those injured in construction accidents as a result of negligence on how to make no win no fee claims for compensation.

Personal injury claimants have three years from the date of injury in which to make no win no fee Construction Accident Claims.

Duncan Lewis is also able to advise the families of those who have lost their lives in construction accidents on how to make no win no fee Fatal Injuries Claims for compensation.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Construction Accident Claims, call Duncan Lewis personal injury lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

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