Expert Welcomes Workplace Inspection Plans

A workplace injury expert at Irwin Mitchell has welcomed the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE’s) plans to commence construction site inspections.

From February 14th, the body’s inspectors are planning to carry out an initiative across the country examining safety issues including standards on working at height and the management of waste materials including asbestos.

Other notable aspects of site safety which are set to be focused on are the correct maintenance and assembly of equipment, as well as the general organisation in order to prevent avoidable injuries.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Health and safety must be a priority for companies in all sectors. It is particularly important in the construction industry which is the sector where workers are most likely to be killed or injured in a work accident.

“This round of inspections by the HSE will undoubtedly help to emphasise the importance of safety in the sector and encourage all of the firms visited to improve their performance when it comes to providing adequate protection to their employees.

“We see far too many cases in which workers are hurt following an industrial accident due to the negligence of their employers or a failure to follow legislation and guidelines.

“The HSE have outlined that over 350 notices were issued last year following inspections, so we hope that there will be a reduction from that figure which will show that safety is being taken increasingly seriously by construction firms.”