HSE inspection blitzes


When the HSE embarks on an inspection blitz it invariably uncovers worryingly high levels of non-compliance. For example, during a month-long HSE inspection initiative targeting small refurbishment sites in 2015, 46% of sites fell below standards. HSE inspectors served 692 enforcement notices and 983 notifications of contravention where there was a “material breach” (see page 32) of health and/or safety. Inspectors had to deal with immediate risks, such as work at height, as well as sites where workers were being exposed to silica dust and asbestos, with long-term health consequences (http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/forty-per-cent-of-construction-sites-fail-health-and-safety-spot-checks).