HSE targets small refurb developments

Small developers are being targeted by the Health and Safety Executive as it battles to reduce deaths on refurb jobs.

Chief inspector of construction Stephen Williams told CJ that clients buying small numbers of properties and refurbishing them often had no knowledge of their legal responsibilities.

He said: "Research shows us that there is a level of ignorance. Some people didn't even realise that they had responsibilities under the CDM regulations."

Williams will ask frontline construction inspectors to make it a priority to trace the client on projects where they uncover dangerous practices and make them aware of their duties.