South Somerset high for building site injuries

FIGURES show that South Somerset has the highest number of construction site injuries in the county.

During 2011-12, three workers were killed while working in construction across Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, and a further 131 were seriously injured. Nationally, there were 49 deaths and more than 2,800 major injuries.

In Somerset there was one fatality and 26 injuries – with that death happening South Somerset along with nine injuries. There were seven injuries in Mendip and Sedgemoor and three in Taunton Deane.

It should not be forgotten, however, that South Somerset is by far the largest of the districts within the county so it is not a huge surprise that it has the highest injury rate.

It comes after nearly a third of the construction sites visited across Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire during a month-long inspection initiative failed health and safety checks.

Inspectors visited the areas as part of a national Health and Safety Executive clampdown aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health.

A total of 61 of the 215 sites inspected were found to have significant failings and 40 enforcement notices were issued as a result.

The purpose of the initiative was to remind those working in the industry that poor standards are unacceptable and could result in enforcement action.

HSE principal inspector Andrew Kingscott said: “It is good news that the majority of the construction sites we visited were obeying the law and making the effort to manage safety, but sadly some sites are letting down the rest of the industry.

 “Poorly erected scaffolding, exposure to dangerous types of dust, and inadequate washing facilities were among the poor standards we found on some sites.

“I hope by carrying out these spot checks we will help to raise awareness of the dangers and reduce the number of construction workers being killed or seriously injured at work.”

Further information about working safely in the construction industry can be found online at www.hse.gov.uk/construction.

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