Health and Safety Executive to launch month-long Wirral building site inspection

Mar 3 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

ALMOST 40 serious injuries occurred on Wirral building sites last year, prompting the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to launch a month long inspection initiative.

The initiative will focus on refurbishment and roofing work, and will see inspectors making unannounced visits to ensure sites are managing work at height safely.

Construction remains on of Britain’s most dangerous industries.

During 2008/09, there were five deaths and 1,339 serious injuries across the North West, of which 37 were in Wirral.

HSE head of construction, Mike Cross said: “Each year too many workers are needlessly injured or killed while working on construction sites.

“Part of the industry has made real improvements in recent years but we are really concerned about standards in the refurbishment sector, particularly on small projects.

“This is the third year we have run initiatives like this.

“After these latest inspections, we hope that we can report back that we have found good practice and that sites are operating safely.

“However if we find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and, in some cases the public, at risk we will take action. “This could include closing sites and prosecuting those responsible.”

Last year, inspectors made 274 site visits and issued 97 enforcement notices during a similar month long initiative.