26 March 2004 - Last Year's HSE 'Design Initiative' to be Re-launched
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to re-launch its scheme, the 'Design Initiative', next month, which aims to reduce the number of falls from height accidents in the construction industry.
Inspectors in Scotland and the North of England will be meeting planning supervisors and designers to hear of design stage efforts made to reduce the risks from work at height for those working at these sites. They will be questioned on methods they used during the design stage to reduce the risks from work at height.
Last year's initiative produced startling findings, the HSE estimated that only one third of designers seen were considered to have sufficient knowledge of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994 (CDM) to allow them to adequately fulfil their duties.
Work at height falls account for around 40% of all fatal accidents on UK construction sites.
