Labour Research (December 2010)

Health & Safety Matters

Lessons learned from building site fires

Revised guidance on fire safety in construction has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The sections covering multi-storey buildings and high risk buildings, such as those with a timber frame, have been strengthened, to reflect lessons learned from recent fires.

The combination of high risk activities, such as hot work, difficult means of escape and opportunities for fires to spread quickly can make construction site fires deadly.

The HSE has pointed out how each year, thousands of fires on construction sites put the lives of workers and members of the public at risk, both on and adjacent to the site.


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