Last year over half (52%) of the workers who died on construction sites worked in refurbishment, repair and maintenance, in line with a similar shocking statistic the previous year (2006/07).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced that throughout March it again aims to inspect 1500 refurbishment sites across Great Britain, to tackle poor health and safety standards.

In support of its Shattered Lives and Hidden Killer campaigns, HSE inspectors will be targeting principal contactors in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness, Stirling and the Borders to see how they are managing: working at height safely, good order on site; and the risks associated with exposure to asbestos.

The HSE has warned that contractors can once again expect strong enforcement action. Indeed, in just the last two years, during similar inspection initiatives, HSE's Construction Inspectors carried out over 2,400 refurbishment site inspections nationally, resulting in enforcement action being taken on around 1 in 3 of the sites visited.


In Scotland in 2007/08, there were 11 fatalities in the construction sector, and 1,479 people were injured.

HSE Principal Construction inspector Jim Skilling said: "While workers in the refurbishment sector continue to be injured and killed, as we stated before our last inspection initiative, HSE will continue to target the contractors and principal contractors on those sites who flout health and safety law and come down hard on them where necessary."

During the inspection initiative, inspectors will be looking at whether: jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place.

They will check that equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly, sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls and walkways and stairs are free from obstructions

They will also decide if work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste.

It will be determined if the risks associated with exposure to asbestos are managed correctly and carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 where applicable

The work force is made aware of risk control measures More information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/construction/index.htm