News on 15 November 2000
Statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
yesterday showed that 62 people died as a result of construction work
during the first six months of this year. During the same period last
year, 39 people died.
The HSE identified the main causes of deaths and injuries in 1999-2000
(and the ways to prevent them) as: falling through fragile roofs and rooflights
- prevent access, provide safety nets; falling from ladders - use ladders
only as a means of access; falling from scaffolds and other work - provide
double guard-rails and toe boards, during erection of scaffold use harnesses;
struck by excavators, lift trucks, dumpers and other plant - separate
plant and people; crushed by collapsing structures - follow the advice
of a qualified structural engineer; electrocution - isolate and test before
starting work on/near conductors.
Kevin Myers, HSE Chief Construction Inspector, said: "This level
of fatalities is shocking and clearly unacceptable. We all know how people
are dying and the immediate action required to prevent such tragic deaths.
The solutions are straightforward and well known. I want the industry
to take urgent action to address the problem.
"We also need to change the risk tolerant culture of the construction
industry, including among clients and designers. To tackle this longer
term challenge Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission
and John Prescott are jointly inviting key players to a summit meeting
in February. We must not lose sight of health issues in our concern to
reduce the numbers of accidents. The summit will address both topics."
Each year construction inspectors make about 20,000 preventive inspections,
and investigate over 1,000 accidents and 7,000 complaints. Last year HSE
issued 2070 prohibition notices and there were 537 convictions relating
to construction work.
To reduce the number of accidents, inspectors are currently giving particular
attention to management, scaffolding, transport, asbestos, building blocks,
vibration and noise.
