The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will launch its refurbishment initiative in September, which will see construction inspectors carrying out unannounced visits to sites where refurbishment works are being carried out.
Between September 14 and October 9, HSE inspectors will enter sites and focus on how high risk activities are managed and controlled. The includes exposure to construction dust such as silica; awareness of asbestos and its possible location by workers on site; health risks, such as exposure to noise, vibration manual handling and other hazardous substances; working at height activities; and site organisation and welfare facilities.
This renewed focus on the control of health risks follows last year’s campaign, in which 35% of all enforcement notices served were for health issues.
A ‘material breach’ can cost £124 per hour, with the total cost based on the amount of time it takes the HSE to identify and conclude its action in relation to the breach. This ‘Fee for Intervention’ includes any associated office work.
Inspectors will also be taking steps to secure a positive change in behaviour to ensure on-going compliance. They will follow up health and safety breaches with clients and designers to reinforce their duties under the CDM Regulations 2015 and to ensure that all duty-holders with on-site health and safety responsibilities understand and fulfil them.
