ACTION TAKEN OVER DANGEROUS BUILDING SITES

March 14th, 2008 Hinchliffes

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has brought work to a halt on over 30% of building sites undertaking refurbishment work, because of unacceptable safety levels.

The HSE recently carried out over 1,000 spot checks of such sites as part of a rolling inspection programme specifically targeting refurbishment work, as a result of the dramatic rise in the number of deaths from a work accident on this type of building site.

According to the HSE, over half of the workers who died on building sites last year were involved in refurbishment work. Their statistics also indicate that the total number of accident related deaths on refurbishment sites rose by a staggering 61%.

The shocking findings from the spot checks showed that basic safety precautions were being flouted. Issues in respect of working at height were also a huge concern, with over half of the enforcement action taken during this inspection initiative being as a result of dangerous work at height situations, which last year had led to the deaths of 23 workers.

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the HSE said:

“It is totally unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk and we will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecuting those responsible. The construction industry should take ownership of this issue and do more to tackle poor standards on sites.”

COMMENT:-

Employers have a duty to provide their employees with a safe workplace and save working procedures, to prevent an accident at work happening. This also applies where an accident is caused by a workmate’s negligence, because employers are responsible for the actions of their employees.

Accidents on building sites are often caused as a result of falling, slipping or tripping. Other dangers arise from faulty machinery, lifting or manually handling heavy loads, and inadequate safety or protective equipment. Many injured workers take legal advice, resulting in a successful personal injury claim for accident compensation.

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM SOLICITORS:-

If you have suffered any form of accident at work while on a building site, contact personal injury specialists Hinchliffes Solicitors for immediate legal advice, to find out if you are entitled to make claims for injury compensation.

Call now on 0800 138 1348 to speak direct to a personal injury lawyer or go to our Start Your Claim Now page to submit details of your personal injury claim online.