38 people died last year in construction refurbishment,
repair and maintenance projects across the country.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today (23 February) launched a campaign to increase health and safety awareness amongst those involved in developing property as part of their business in Cheshire.
The campaign is specifically aimed at the small-scale developer looking for opportunities for quick refurbishment and resale or buy to let opportunities.
Research has shown that many of these small-scale developers are unaware of their health and safety responsibilities.
An advertising campaign will target the developers along with a leaflet that will be widely available including at auction houses where many properties are bought for development.
Health and Safety Executive inspectors will be out in force across the region checking construction refurbishment sites throughout March as part of its latest enforcement led intensive inspection initiative.
HSE's key messages to property developers are:
* Plan and organise work properly
* Select and use the right equipment
* Keep walkways on site clear of obstructions
* Manage the risks associated with asbestos
HSE Inspector for Cheshire Wayne Crumpton said:
"Tragically, last year, 38 people died on these types of projects across the country and many more were injured or suffered ill-health because of poor health and safety practices.
"Whether you think of yourself as a property investor, developer or renovator, everyone has a role to play in helping reduce the number of serious and sometimes fatal incidents."
The HSE has worked with stakeholders from across the construction industry to develop this campaign. Chris Tisi, who chairs the campaign stakeholder group said:
"I've been involved in the development of property in various capacities over 35 years and found that health and safety has to be an integral part of any project in bringing it to completion on time and to budget. In my experience a safe and healthy site is a successful site."
The health and safety regulator is launching this awareness raising campaign after it discovered that many people developing property for business do not know about the legal responsibilities clients have under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007).
HSE statistics show a startling snapshot of the repair, refurbishment and maintenance sector:
- Between 1999 & 2007, 340 people died
- Last year (2007/08) alone, it was responsible for over half (52%) of construction fatalities, some 38 deaths, with falls from height and electrocution accounting for most of these.
Wayne Crumpton concluded:
"If you see yourself as a property developer, I would urge you to visit hse.gov.uk/property for free advice on what you need to know and what you need to do.
"If more attention was paid to getting things right, for example when working at height and by taking a common sense approach to keeping a site in good order, then the number of fatalities and injuries could be reduced."
Bob Blackman, of Unite Union, said:
"As a union that represents thousands of construction workers, we know that health and safety is extremely important. No matter how big or small your property development is, health and safety should be seen as something that helps a development run smoothly and successfully, not as a cost that can be cut."
