CONSTRUCTION INFONET - JULY 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.
++ FATAL STATISTICS ++
HSE has issued provisional figures of work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain. The report shows a slight decrease in the construction sector (from 79 in 2006/07 to 72 in 2007/08).
Responding to the released figures HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said, "Whilst we welcome the headline decrease in overall numbers of fatalities, there is absolutely no room for complacency...'
Read the HSE Press Release.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2008/e08034.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=01
++ WORKING WELL TOGETHER ++
Did you know that the Working Well Together initiative runs many Safety & Health Awareness events across the UK every year?
The Safety & Health Awareness events are organised regionally by a partnership including health and safety professionals from large local construction companies, the Federation of Master Builders, Local Authorities, Working Well Together groups and with support from the HSE.
These events are aimed primarily at small contractors who employ fewer than 16 people and the self-employed. All the events are practical and include demonstrations and the latest information on a variety of health and safety topics.
Find out how to get involved or attend an event near you.
http://www.wwt.uk.com/SafetyAwarenessDetail.asp?ID=48
++ DODGY LADDERS CAN SHATTER LIVES ++
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third of all 'falls from height' accidents across all industries are as a result of a fall from a ladder.
Ladder Exchange 2008 aims to highlight the risks associated with using a dodgy ladder and provide employers with the opportunity to exchange their substandard ladder for a new one at a discounted price.
The Ladder Exchange will start in September 2008.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/ladderexchange.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=02
++ LOOKING AFTER YOUR BUSINESS - LEADING HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK++
Whether you are just starting in business, are new to health and safety or are already set up and looking to measure and improve your health and safety performance, HSE can provide guidance and resource material to help.
Leadership guidance for all directors, governors, trustees, officers and their equivalents in the private, public and third sectors.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=03
What you must do - a 10-point list shows some of the key actions required by law that apply to nearly every business
http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/must-do.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=04
Guidance for small businesses
http://www.hse.gov.uk/leadership/smallbusinesses.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=
++RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY++
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions and enforcement action in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
Work at height
23 June 2008: HSE issues training warning after Rotherham scaffolder imprisoned. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of the owner of a Rotherham scaffolding firm for not providing adequate training or equipment for his employees before instructing them to dismantle a scaffold. One of the workers fell six metres to the ground, suffering significant injuries to his foot and spine.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=371577&NewsAreaID=169
&NavigatedFromSearch=True
30 June 2008: HSE has warned of the importance of employers knowing what their employees do on their premises during meal breaks. The warning follows the prosecution of an Altrincham coach building company after a
16- year-old apprentice sustained fatal injuries when he fell through a fragile roof whilst retrieving a football during a lunchtime kick-about.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=372387&NewsAreaID=112
&NavigatedFromSearch=True
7 July 2007: HSE is warning employers to ensure they have safe systems for working at height in place after a worker was seriously injured in a fall from a loft, while he was changing a water tank at a flat.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=373037&NewsAreaID=203
&NavigatedFromSearch=True
Further information
Working at height -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=06
HSE Shattered Lives campaign -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=07
Refurbishment
12 June 2008: Enforcement action was taken against 13 construction sites in Sefton, Merseyside following an intensive inspection initiative by the HSE.
24 June 2008: Work was halted on construction sites in Newcastle last week as part of a HSE crackdown on unsafe practices. Inspectors visited
24 contractors engaged on refurbishment sites in the city and served four prohibition notices, effectively stopping work due to concerns about working at height and electrical issues.
Further information
Falls and trips in construction -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/tripsandfalls/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul
08&cr=08
Electricity at work
8 July 2008: HSE is warning construction firms of the need to plan work around underground services carefully after a worker received a serious electric shock when he came in contact with live cabling.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=373216&NewsAreaID=169
&NavigatedFromSearch=True
Further information
Working near electricity -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/nearelectric.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=09
Safe systems of work
7 July 2008: HSE is warning companies undertaking gas mains replacement and central heating installations of the serious consequences that can result when safe systems of work are not adopted when working in elderly persons' properties. The warning follows a serious incident to an 89 year-old Edinburgh woman, who fell down an open hatch in the kitchen floor left unguarded by the gas replacement contractor.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2008/sco07708.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=10
Further information
Risk management -
http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=11
++ NEW AND REVISED HSE PUBLICATIONS ++
The Absolutely Essential Toolkit for the smaller construction contractor
- revised version
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg344.pdf?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=12 [PDF 668kb]
Workplace transport checklist - updated
Help to reduce the risks from vehicles in the workplace.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/transport/wtchk1.pdf?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=13
[PDF 41KB]
Thorough examination of lifting equipment - A simple guide for employers.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg422.pdf?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=14 [PDF 105KB]
++ HSE WARNS CHILDREN - BUILDING SITES ARE NOT PLAYGROUNDS ++
With schools breaking up for the summer holidays, HSE is warning the construction industry and parents that building sites are dangerous and must not be used as playgrounds.
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=371678&NewsAreaID=232
&NavigatedFromSearch=True
http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/worksmart/videos/index.htm#child?ebul=co
ns/jul08&cr=15
++ F10 NOTIFICATIONS++
From 2 June 2008 the new interactive electronic F10 form (EForm) is available for use.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/forms/notification/index.htm?ebul=cons/jul08&cr=1
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
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