|
31 March 2005 - HSE Findings on
Construction Blitz in Wales
Navigation
A report of findings and actions taken on a construction site
inspection blitz carried out in the South Wales area by Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) inspectors during the month of March 2005, has now been
produced.
The blitz inspectors visited 51 construction sites, covering 66
companies.
Key actions reported by the inspectors were as follows:
-
The inspectors found that activities on 5 sites were deemed so
dangerous that they had to be stopped immediately.
-
7 prohibition notices and 6 improvement notices were issued.
-
On 11 sites, activities were suspended voluntarily until unsafe
practices had changed.
Some areas where incorrect activities were stopped by inspectors
were as follows:
-
Working at height without adequate safeguards.
-
Inadequate welfare provision to prevent allergic dermatitis from
the use of cement products.
-
Poorly maintained hand-held vibrating equipment.
Five sites had six improvement notices served for the following
reasons:
-
Site order and organisation.
-
Management of site traffic.
-
Inadequate welfare provision.
-
Lack of risk assessments for hand-held vibrating equipment.
HM Principal Inspector for Construction in Wales, Chantal
Nicholls, although being pleased that many of the companies in Wales were aware
of the campaign, said she was "less impressed" with some conditions
found, such as the "lack of basic welfare facilities found".
She added "this was unacceptable in this day and age."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
|
