NEWS: HSE to target construction sites – health and safety bulletin October ’22
HSE are carrying out site inspection across Great Britain focusing on moving and handling materials – and construction sites are being targeted.
They are being targeted as part of a health inspection initiative supported by the ‘Work Right Construction: Your health. Your future’ campaign.
The campaign is raising awareness of health issues in relation to moving and handling materials to improve the long-term health of those working in construction.
Starting on Monday 3 October 2022, site inspections focusing on moving and handling construction materials will be checking that both employers and workers know the risks involved. They will check they are planning their work and are using sensible control measures to protect workers from injuries and aches, pain and discomfort in joints, muscles and bones known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
You can act now to protect workers’ health…
Employers
Employers have a legal responsibility to protect workers from ill health and should involve them in managing the risks to their health, just as they would with safety.
Construction workers
Workers should not have to accept these injuries and potential long-term suffering as an inevitable part of construction work. They should talk to their employer about the risks and the measures in place to protect their health.
How Can I prepare?
- Ensure your workplace is clean and tidy. The impact of this cannot be understated.
- Inform your managers that an inspection is more likely to happen and provide them with guidance and training on how to respond, e.g., it is highly inadvisable to refuse them entry!
- Be prepared for members of staff to be questioned, so provide them with clear information on how the organisation protects their health, safety and welfare.
- Make sure relevant safety documentation is available (manual handling risk assessment), up to date and sufficient.
- Check manual handling training is in date.
- Reduce the need for manual handling or provide aids to reduce the risk of injury.
The HSE has advice for employers, workers and small builders
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