Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Construction
Welcome to the latest edition of Construction Infonet.
Construction Infonet is a free e-Bulletin from the Health and Safety Executive to provide a regular update on health and safety issues for all in the construction industry.
Working at height remains the most significant risk on building projects. Falls from ladders, working platforms, roof edges and through fragile roofs are the most frequent cause of fatal falls on smaller building sites. There are many straightforward and inexpensive precautions that can be taken to manage risks on site and guidance is available on the HSE website to help you.
Reminder: Throughout July 2007 HSE Construction Division Inspectors will continue to carry out targeted site inspections looking at the issues of low falls and good order.
We will be checking to see if you are:
The following links will take you to guidance material including videos and case studies which can be used for toolbox talks and workforce training.
HSE will be launching a major campaign in Autumn 2007 to highlight the issue of falls from vehicles, especially falls from low heights i.e. the person falls from below head height. On average there are 5 people killed each year as a result from a fall from a vehicle.
The Campaign aims to raise awareness of the risk of falling that workers are exposed to when accessing and/or working at height on vehicles and the actions that should be taken to minimise these risks.
HSE research shows that within the construction industry accidents occur mostly
HSE’s Construction Division will be preparing guidance material to support this campaign and we will bring this to your attention in future editions of the Construction Infonet e-bulletin. In the meantime please check out the Falls from vehicles campaign website and keep informed by signing up for campaign bulletins.
[back to top]Do you know about Working Well Together (WWT), the country’s leading construction health and safety campaign, supported by the construction industry, trade unions and HSE?
Do you know that WWT hosts numerous health and safety events around the country each year including free advice sessions, occupational health events, and managers’ awareness days? Many of these events are free or cost very little to attend.
The Working Well Together website provides details of the activities and how to get involved.
[back to top]HSE is using cartoons and a bit of humour to tackle some of the great health and safety myths of our time. Each month HSE will post a new cartoon on its website illustrating a popular myth and setting the record straight. Help fight the construction related myths;
[back to top]With the school summer holidays rapidly approaching, HSE Construction Division staff around the UK, in conjunction with Emergency Services and the construction industry are emphasising to children, their teachers and their carers the dangers of building sites and the need for children to stay off them.
Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
Case 1 – HSE warns companies to ensure employees are properly trained and precautions are taken when working at height after the death of a worker following a fall through a fragile roof.
Case 2 – Construction firms reminded to assess risk from electricity. The warning follows the electrocution of a 19 year old worker after the concrete pump he was working on came into contact with an overhead power line.
Case 3 – HSE reminds construction firms, contractors and sub-contractors to co-operate in setting up safe sites to provide safe vehicle access and ensure safe plant operated by trained competent drivers. This follows a prosecution into the tragic death of a worker who was knocked down by a dumper when its brakes failed.
Infoline - Health and safety information and advice: Call 0845 345 0055 or visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index.htm
Report an accident: Call 0845 300 9923 or visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/index.htm
We issue E-bulletins on a regular basis and would welcome your feedback and views as well as any suggestions/contributions for future articles.
Thank you to those who provided feedback on the previous editions - we have tried to incorporate as many of the suggestions as possible. You can contact us at: construction-manager@bulletins.hse.gov.uk
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