Product category:
Building Trade Associations and Institutes
News Release from: Health and Safety Executive | Subject: Watch Your Step campaign.
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 24 October 2005
Bigger risks for construction workers
HSE survey reveals that big work load equals even bigger risks for construction workers.
Construction workers are too busy to remove workplace hazards despite the increasing number of workplace falls, according to an opinion survey published today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as part of its Watch Your Step campaign Already the biggest cause of workplace injuries in the construction industry with 2,887 incidents reported to HSE last year, the opinion survey reveals that almost half of construction workers (47 per cent) believe people being very busy and needing to keep working is the main reason for ignoring slip and trip hazards
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 13 Jul 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
New Guidance On Accident Investigation
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance on how to investigate accidents and incidents, including near misses.
Construction Health And Safety Improving
Results from the FaTaL Risks Campaign blitz indicate that health and safety performance in the construction industry is improving.
Over a third also admitted to a lack of caution signs near hazards such as steps and slippery or uneven surfaces.
"When one in three of the construction employees surveyed have suffered an injury from a slip or trip incident at work and 20 per cent of those injured were off work for over two months, the extent of the problem is plain to see and it can have an acute effect on both the individuals and businesses involved," said Justin McCracken, Acting Chief Executive, HSE.
Nationally, a slip or trip incident takes place every three minutes and every hour someone breaks a bone.
Further reading
HSE Kerbs Forum - Progress Meeting In London
Kerb manufacturers, contractors and Local Authorities reviewed progress on the HSE initiative to encourage industry to change from traditional methods to systems where the kerb is carried by machine.
Statistics Of Inspection And Enforcement
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) publishes Statistics Of Inspection And Enforcement In Local Authority Enforced Sectors for 2002/03
All in all, it is estimated that workplace falls cost the UK economy approximately GBP800 million each year, of which GBP500 million is directly borne by businesses.
According to the survey, the three most common causes of workplace falls in construction are:.
* Tripping over an object left on the ground (37 per cent) * Tripping on an uneven surface outside (31 per cent) * Tripping on an uneven floor inside (28 per cent) All of these hazards can easily be removed with simple, cost-effective measures.
"To address the problem, there really needs to be a shift in attitude from 'ignore it' to 'do something about it'".
"Even if you are pressed for time or have some work that urgently needs doing, if you spot a risk it will take less than a minute to either deal with it yourself or report it and could save you or a colleague from a serious injury".
"Acting on risks needs to be everyone's responsibility so that incidents are prevented before it's too late".
"Our message is clear ? don't just see it, sort it," Justin McCracken continued.
Watch Your Step is a cross-industry campaign in partnership with other stakeholders, including Local Authorities, which aims to combat the increasing number of workplace falls by highlighting the scale of the problem for UK businesses; encouraging people to take the risks seriously; and raising awareness about cost-effective measures that can be put in place to reduce incidents and keep the costs to a minimum.
More information and practical tips on how to minimise risks can be found by visiting www.watchyourstep.hse.gov.uk or calling 0845 345 0055.
• Health and Safety Executive: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Buildingtalk email newsletter
• Buildingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
