HSE crackdown across Chester

Work was halted on three building sites in Chester after Health & Safety Executive (HSE) officials found major problems. They also issued 12 enforcement notices during their week-long blitz of the city.

Among the major faults found were poor risk management, unsafe scaffolds, risk of falls from height and unsatisfactory welfare facilities.

On the three sites closed, the officials said site standards were so poor that they had to stop work completely.

An HSE official said: “We were disappointed with the general standards we encountered.”

[Contract Journal, 4 October 2006, p 1]