Yorkshire workplace inspections highlight importance of safety considerations

Post By: Shona Innes

The Health and Safety Executive has been inspecting dozens of workplaces in Bradford as part of a drive to up safety standards in the area.

Dozens of workplaces in Yorkshire have been hosting inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in recent weeks.

The inspections are part of a drive to improve the safety record
in the area after 49 people lost their lives across the UK in the
last year in work-related accidents.

A total of 61 sites in West and South Yorkshire were visited in
the first three weeks of September, with six building sites in
the Bradford area being served with prohibition notices after inspectors found safety failings.

Three of the sites were closed due to inadequate use of working platforms and scaffolding, while the others had work stopped due to other safety concerns.

HSE principal inspector for construction in Yorkshire David Stewart explained that bosses should put safety provisions in place to protect themselves and staff.

"Straightforward practical precautions are well known in the industry. Safe access equipment is readily available for purchase or hire and there is no excuse for workers, and the self employed, to put themselves in a position of danger when working at height," he said.

"There was a marginal, though still welcome, improvement for this inspection activity on previous ones in terms of the ratio of good to poor performances but there is no reason to be complacent. HSE will continue to maintain a strong enforcement profile where there is blatant disregard to safe working practice."

Meanwhile, the HSE has been busy in Yorkshire recently, with a Barnsley firm being prosecuted for neglecting to protect its staff following two separate accidents in a single week.

Written by Chris Malone.