Must be some mistake, surely. No, not a Private Eye joke but my reaction to the really grim standards of health and safety revealed on many refurbishment projects during our recent targeted inspection campaign. The figures speak for themselves: 1108 sites visited; 1419 contractors seen; 395 enforcement notices issued; and 13 prosecutions under consideration. And this for part of the industry that knew they were in our sights
What are they on you might well ask.
I was asked by a journalist the other day, ‘Why this sector?’ and, ‘Aren’t you embarrassed by what you have found?’
We targeted this sector, simply because our intelligence shows this to be where people working in it are most likely to have an accident. More than 50% of last year’s fatal accidents happened during repair and refurbishment work – and the picture looks much the same again this year – indeed as it has done for several years. Not rocket science therefore to target our work here.
Am I embarrassed? Not a bit. But the industry should be really embarrassed by such a poor performance. It should be sending a wake up call to the people working in this part of construction that things must change.
More bizarre than the question on being embarrassed about the standards found through the initiative, is a developing tendency for some to blame the HSE for this problem. As I said, bizarre - if motorists speed you don’t blame the police.
Let’s be absolutely clear: industry creates the problems and industry has the responsibility for managing the risks it creates. No ifs, no buts. And indeed that’s how it has to be and that’s how the law is set up. Good health and safety management goes hand in hand with good management of all other aspects of construction: on time; to budget; waste properly controlled etc. Those who get one aspect right generally get the rest right – and vice versa.
So things need to change – and quickly. Rant over.
Stephen Williams
Chief Inspector of Construction
Health and Safety Executive
Comments (1)
As someone who detests the 'nanny state' and all that it implies I get anoyed at over legislation and the gold plating of rules by inspectors of all types - but - and its a big BUT. Preventing accidents has to come up at the top of any site manager's list - it is owed to the employees and their families. The comment by Stephen Williams that good H&S management goes hand in hand with other aspects of good management is also true. Shoddy management is Shoddy management and Good management is just that. Its difficult to be conscentious over some aspects and not others.
Posted by Roger Thomas | March 13, 2008 12:16 PM
Posted on March 13, 2008 12:16