HSE issues prohibition notices to several sites with inadequate safety practice after week of targeted inspections

Construction site managers in Cambridge have been warned to make health and safety their top priority after a week of visits by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed problems.

Targeted inspections were carried out on 18 March in various locations as part of the HSE's Shattered Lives and Hidden Killer campaigns. Inspectors focused on projects where refurbishment, repair and maintenance projects were taking place.

Seven prohibition notices, which order work to stop until it can be continued safely, were served.

Peter Galsworthy, HSE principal inspector for construction in Cambridgeshire, said: “Five sites were found to have serious health and safety issues - such risk to the workforce is unacceptable.

“As stated before our last inspection initiative, while workers in the refurbishment sector continue to be injured and killed, HSE will continue to target those contractors who flout health and safety law and come down hard on them where necessary.”