New construction division of Health & Safety Executive kicks off nationwide clampdown on dangerous and insanitary practices by sending 31 inspectors into London building sites
Last month London experienced a week-long health and safety blitz in which a beefed-up team of Health & Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors descended on sites in the capital looking for poor welfare facilities and practices that put workers at risk of falling from heights.

In the first operation of its kind, a team of 31 inspectors from the HSE's new construction division spent five days visiting sites of all sizes. As we went to press, no figures were available on the results of the blitz, but the HSE said that it was adopting a "rigorous, enforcement-led approach".

The London blitz begins a year-long programme of intensive, region-by-region inspections to be carried out around the country.

Twelve of the inspectors were brought in from other regions to boost the effort, which represents the first flexing of its muscles by the HSE's construction division. The number of inspectors wholly devoted to construction has risen to 158 from 118. There are now four regional heads, who report direct to chief inspector Kevin Myers.

On badly run sites, inspectors can issue an Improvement Notice, which orders the contractor to clean up risky practices, or a Prohibition Notice, which can stop work altogether.

"Falling from heights is the single biggest killer in construction, last year accounting for 44% of all deaths in the industry," said Barry Mullen, the HSE inspector organising the blitz. "Good welfare is essential. Some of the poor welfare conditions HSE inspectors encounter during site visits are not acceptable in the 21st century."

There were 114 fatal injuries in construction between April 2000 and March 2001. Eight of the dead were members of the public.

In February 2001, the construction industry set itself targets of reducing the incidence of deaths and major injuries by 40% by 2004/2005, and 66% by 2009/2010.

The industry also committed itself to bring down the number of cases of work-related ill health by 20% by 2004/2005 and 50% by 2009/2010.

The HSE's construction division is trying to make sure these targets are met. "This new division has enabled us to be more flexible with our resources so we can carry out blitzes like this," said Mullen.

Earlier this month Myers said his inspectors would also be examining designs and drawings to see if they could lead to safety risks on site.