Roofing and construction sites throughout Yorkshire will be the focus of Health & Safety Inspectors during September in a bid to reduce falls from height. The inspections follow revised guidelines in the ‘Health and safety in roof work’ regulations published by HSE (Health and Safety Executive) earlier this year.
The initiative will primarily focus on those working on the external parts of buildings, but will target all types of roofing work carried out at height.
David Stewart, HSE’s principal inspector for roofing and construction in the Yorkshire region said: "Falling from height causes a significant number of deaths and major injuries. All too often straightforward practical precautions are not considered and workers are put needlessly at risk. In many cases, simple changes to working practices can make all the difference.
"Poor management of risk in this industry is unacceptable. As we have demonstrated in the past, we will take strong action if we find evidence that workers are being unnecessarily put at risk."
In recent months HSE has prosecuted several construction companies in the Yorkshire region following incidents in which workers were injured.
A firm from Halifax was fined £13,500 when an employee installing a flue liner down a chimney fell seven metres from the roof due to provision of an inadequate work platform with no edge protection.
A roofing contractor from Ilkley was fined £23,500 after an employee fell through a fragile skylight on the roof of a garage where repairs were being carried out.
The inspection teams will begin in Bradford and Leeds before moving to other locations across the Yorkshire region.
As one of Leeds’ leading roofing contractors DPR is a member of CHAS (Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme) and adheres to strict guidelines at all times. For more information contact us on 0113 335 0043.