CONSTRUCTION INFONET - MARCH 2008
Welcome to the latest edition of Construction Infonet.
Construction Infonet is a free e-Bulletin from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to provide a regular update on health and safety issues for all in the construction industry.
++ FALLS AND TRIPS IN CONSTRUCTION - HSE INSPECTION INITIATIVE 2008 ++
In the last edition we told you that HSE Construction Inspectors would be carrying out inspections, targeting refurbishment sites, during February 2008 looking specifically at work at height and good order issues on site. Inspectors planned and made over 1000 unannounced site visits across the country. Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive said "over one in three construction sites visited put the lives of workers at risk and operated so far below the acceptable standard that our inspectors served 395 enforcement notices and stopped work on 30% of the sites."
Read the HSE News Release in full -
Unacceptable performance by refurbishment sector of the construction industry http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=357527&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromSearch=True
Have a look at some of the conditions found on site by our inspectors - Falls and trips in construction - real examples of good and bad practice
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/tripsandfalls/realexamples.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=01
Find out what simple precautions you can take to improve safety standards on your site.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/tripsandfalls/index.htm?ebul=cons/feb08&cr=02
++SHATTERED LIVES CAMPAIGN ++
HSE is running a new industry wide campaign on slips, trips and falls in the workplace. The aim is to raise awareness of the risks and help those involved to take simple action that will prevent slips trips and falls. The campaign features the real life stories of accidents to a construction worker and a building and plant maintenance worker
There is still time for your organisation to get involved and there will be further activity over the next few months as the campaign gathers momentum.
For more information please email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Look and listen out for -
* shattered lives adverts in the national press
* radio adverts on local radio
* on-line adverts
Don't forget to visit the new webpages
http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=03
Download the Shattered Lives campaign resource material
http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/resources.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=04
Further supporting guidance and information on construction specific issues is also available
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/resources.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=05
++RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY++
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
Work at Height
8 February 2008:HSE warns construction companies over trainee supervision following the death of a 17 year-old who fell approx 18 metres whilst working to construct a scaffold.
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=351498&NewsAreaID=112&NavigatedFromSearch=True
15 February 2008: HSE has again urged construction companies to take sensible, effective precautions to protect employees and others affected by work at height. This follows the prosecution of a company where two men working on a derelict barn fell through a fragile asbestos cement roof and suffered multiple fractures and spinal injuries. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=353082&NewsAreaID=259&NavigatedFromSearch=True
Further information
Working at height - http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=06
Scaffolds - http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/scaffolding.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=07
Fragile roofs - http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/roofbuilders.pdf?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=08
Tower scaffolds - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis10.pdf?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=09
Roofwork - http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/roof.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=10
++ ASBESTOS CAMPAIGN - The Hidden Killer
'You are more at risk than you think!' ++
HSE is working with key stakeholders (Trades Unions, Trade Associations, Suppliers etc) to raise awareness amongst tradesmen that they are at risk from exposure to asbestos. A campaign is currently being rolled out to target building maintenance and repair workers (e.g. electricians, plumbers and carpenters and joiners).
Find out more
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/campaign/index.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=11
++ FREE EVENT: HSE Construction Occupational Health Awareness Day
12 March 2008, Lingfield Park Racecourse++
HSE is running two events (starting times are 9am and 1pm) for those who would like to know more about occupational health risks and how to manage these risks including asbestos and dust, dermatitis, manual handling, hand arm vibration and noise.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/diary.htm?ebul=cons/feb-08&cr=12
Please note that places are limited - if you are interested in attending please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONTACT HSE
Infoline - Health and safety information and advice: Call 0845 345 0055 or visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm
Report an accident: Call 0845 300 9923 or visit:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
FEEDBACK
We issue e-Bulletins on a regular basis and would welcome your feedback and views as well as any suggestions/contributions for future articles.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the previous editions - we have tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as possible.
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