Building sites safety blitz to cut deaths

Rochdale has been targeted by the Health and Safety Executive for an initiative to reduce the death toll in the construction industry.

Starting on Monday, HSE inspectors will be out in force visiting sites to drive home the safety message — especially in the refurbishment, repair and maintenance sector.

Around 1,500 construction sites — including 200 across the North West — are part of a campaign to tackle poor safety standards.

In 2007/08 there were 72 deaths on construction sites, with 38 in the refurbishment sector.

Inspectors will make unannounced visits to sites to raise awareness of the problem, with the refurbishment sector accounting for 50% of all accidents, but representing only 40% of all construction activity.

In a similar initiative last year, 187 inspections were carried out in the region with enforcement action being taken in 103 cases.

The HSE has warned that contractors can once again expect strong enforcement action.

Inspectors will be targeting principal contractors to see how they are managing working safely at height; good order on site and the risks associated with the removal of asbestos.

HSE’s chief inspector of construction Stephen Williams said: “While workers in the refurbishment sector continue to be injured and killed, HSE will continue to target the contractors and principal contractors on those sites which flout health and safety law and come down hard on them where necessary.”

Other boroughs involved in this first crackdown are Oldham, Barrow, Kendal, Lancaster, Morecambe, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Crewe, Nantwich, Congleton, Chester, Warrington, Northwich, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Runcorn and Widnes.