HSE has announced that Construction Inspectors are carrying out visits to construction sites where refurbishment projects or repair works are underway during October and November 2016.
Where serious breaches of legislation are found immediate Enforcement Action will be taken. This might include formal written advice, improvement or prohibition notices and / or legal proceedings. In all these cases it is likely that a Fee for Intervention financial charge will also be imposed.
Contraventions of health and safety requirements which appear to involve client and designer duties will also be followed up to reinforce the duties of clients and designers (including Principal Designers) under CDM 2015.
Safety AND Health
During this period inspectors will ensure high-risk activities, particularly those affecting the health of workers, are being properly managed and will focus on:
- Construction Dust – risks to health from exposure to dust and how controlled e.g. silica;
- Asbestos – workers are aware of where they may find asbestos and other health risks e.g. noise and vibration, manual handling and hazardous substances;
- Work at Height – jobs identified and properly planned to ensure appropriate precautions in place;
- Equipment – correctly installed / assembled, inspected, maintained and used; and
- Good Order – well organised sites, to avoid trips and falls, walkways and stairs are free from obstructions and adequate welfare facilities
