New guide aims to boost safety

A book advising contractors on safety and on how to meet the new Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 has been published by the Health & Safety Executive.

Health and Safety in Construction advises on such issues as precautions needed when working at heights, emergency procedures and welfare and scaffold inspection requirements under the new regulations coming into force on 2 September.

The publication is divided into three parts: organisation of the site; the essentials of health and safety including health hazards, work affecting the public and moving, lifting and handling loads; and health and safety management and the law.

Stuart Nattrass, HSE's chief inspector of construction said: "Although the health and safety performance of the construction industry has improved over the last decade many workers are still killed and injured as a result of their work.

"I hope that by using the information in this book the industry will be able to reduce even further accidents and ill health."

n Copies of the guide are available from HSE Books. For more information telephone 01787 881165.