60% rise in construction fatalities

Statistics released today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that 62 people died as a result of construction work during the first six months of this year. This compares with 39 deaths in the same period last year.

The main causes of deaths and injuries during construction work in 1999-2000 and the basic steps which need to be taken to address them are:

- Falling through fragile roofs and rooflights - prevent access, provide safety nets, cover fragile rooflights and roofing to prevent falls and to mitigate the consequences.
- Falling from ladders - use ladders only as a means of access, and ensure they are secure at all times.
- Falling from scaffolds and other work - provide a safe working place for all tasks. Above 2 metres this means double guard-rails and toe boards, during erection of scaffold use harnesses.
- Struck by excavators, lift trucks, dumpers and other plant equipment - separate plant and people, and make arrangements for safe reversing.
- Crushed by collapsing structures - follow the advice of a qualified structural engineer, use remote demolition techniques.
- Electrocution - isolate and test before starting work on/near conductors, keep well clear of overhead power lines.

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 (a prohibition notice can stop some or all work at a construction site) and there were 537 convictions relating to construction work.
Inspectors are currently giving particular attention to:

- management - eliminating hazards and controlling risks through compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994, for example, by eliminating the use of fragile roof lights in new and refurbished buildings;
- scaffolding - controlling risks to scaffolders and to the public and other workers from falling material and scaffold collapses;
- transport - segregating people from vehicles and plant, and eliminating reversing and/or ensuring the use of suitable reversing aids;
- asbestos - ensuring appropriate precautions are taken during work by licensed contractors, including work with asbestos insulation board;
- building blocks - eliminating handling of heavy blocks over 20Kg, or reducing the risk from single-person repetitive lifting of these blocks; and
- vibration and noise - eliminating or reducing risk from hand-arm vibration and noise at the design stage, and managing residual risk, particularly during scabbling, pile head removal by breaker and hand tunnelling.

Relevant Legislation

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, Sections 2-7.

The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 requires people in control of construction sites to: take action to prevent falls; prevent objects from falling; and manage the movement of vehicles and people around a site.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require those people in control of part or all of an electrical system to ensure it is safe when provided, safe when used and that it is maintained in a safe condition.

The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 1994 require that construction projects are designed and implemented to ensure the health and safety of the people working on the site and those who maybe affected by it.
This document is for general guidance and research purposes only, and does not purport to give professional advice. Please check the date at the top of the article; the Workplace Law Network retains historic articles for general research.