HSE blitzes find firms lax on transport and work at height

Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited more than 200 premises in Hemel Hempstead and Harlow yesterday and found that over a quarter need to do much more to meet acceptable health and safety standards.

The inspectors served a total of 48 improvements notices and eight prohibition notices. They were particularly concerned to find that companies are not dealing effectively with the two biggest killers in the workplace - on-site transport and work at height.

Often the measures needed to deal with these risks are quite simple and obvious, like making sure ladders are well looked after. But failure to deal with these risks not only means that workers may get injured, but the HSE argues, can also seriously damage profits.

Inspectors also witnessed poor control of health risks like lifting and moving objects and exposure to noise.

The HSE said that issuing notices would help make sure improvements are made before the inspectors visit again.