23rd October 2018
HSE to Target Construction Sites
What’s happening?
The HSE has recently announced that Construction firms across Great Britain will be targeted on their health and safety standards on the latest inspection initiative this month.
The inspections are to be specifically targeted on key areas, with focus given to respiratory risks and occupational lung disease. The Inspectors will be looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust.
When will this happen?
HSE Inspectors will be visiting construction businesses and sites across the country throughout October 2018 and will specifically be looking for evidence of construction workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls, and if necessary will use enforcement to ensure people are protected.
Chief inspector of construction at HSE Peter Baker said, “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are killed in construction accidents. Annually, work-related cancers, mainly linked to asbestos and silica, are estimated to kill 3,500 people from the industry. Thousands of others suffer life-changing illnesses from their work. Not all lung diseases take years to develop. Some, like acute silicosis or occupational asthma, can occur more quickly.
“As a result, we’ve launched this inspection initiative to find out what exactly businesses in the construction industry are doing today to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs.’’
What do I need to do?
If you are running a construction site at present then be prepared for an inspection during this month. We have seen a lot of improvement notices issued to persons not being face fit tested recently (see our previous post). HSE have stated that they want to see construction firms encouraging their workers to firstly keep the dust down and wear the right mask and clothing.
If you require any further advice or are in need of a site inspection from our consultants, then call our health and safety advice line today on 0845 459 1724 or contact us through the website.