93 of 401 sites failed to meet minimum OHS standards
One in four construction sites visited during a month-long inspection initiative in London, England failed health and safety checks, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety.
More than 400 sites were visited by HSE inspectors between February 18 and March 15 as part of a national “clampdown” aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health. The building sector is consistently in the top three high-risk industries for deaths and injuries.
A total of 93 of the 401 sites failed to meet the minimum legal standards for health and safety. Specific work activities on some of the sites were deemed to be so dangerous that immediate prohibition notices were served by inspectors, halting further work until standards had been raised, the HSE said.
Along with 114 prohibition notices, inspectors also served 22 improvement notices, which required particular improvements to be made to working practices.
The inspectors visited sites where refurbishment or repair work was taking place, to support a drive to improve standards in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.
They made unannounced visits to ensure companies are managing high-risk activity, such as working at height. They are also checked for general good order, assessed welfare facilities and checked whether personal protective equipment, such as head protection, was being used appropriately.
Between 2011 and 2012, four workers were killed while working at construction sites in London and a further 471 were seriously injured. Nationally, there were 49 deaths and more than 2,800 major injuries.
The purpose of the initiative is to remind those working in the industry that poor standards are unacceptable and could result in enforcement action, according to the HSE.
