The HSE’s October Dustbuster Blitz

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be carrying out its latest construction inspection initiative throughout October 2018.

What?

They will be undertaking a series of one day inspections on construction sites all across the UK. These will focus on occupational health – especially the causes of occupational lung disease. The HSE will look at all the measures being put in place to protect workers, and check they are sufficient to safeguard them against lung disease caused by asbestos, silica, wood and other dusts – commonly found on construction sites.

Why?

Whilst priority is often given to safety hazards in general, and thousands of workers are harmed by at-work accidents, asbestos and dust are 'slow killers'. The HSE estimates that annually there are around 8,000 work-related cancer deaths every year in the UK – and the construction industry accounts for some 3,500 of these – with asbestos and silica the major causes.

How?

HSE inspectors will be looking to ensure that those involved in construction projects know the risks, and properly plan their work and use the right controls. Where poor standards are found, enforcement action will be taken. 'Work right and go home healthy' they say.

Here at RVT, we believe it is essential that construction companies and workers are aware of just how dangerous these substances can be – so book your free UK wide site assessment and make sure that you are HSE compliant.