Site visits aim to cut deaths in building sector

The high rate of deaths and serious injuries among small construction operators has prompted the Health and Safety Authority to launch an intensive inspection campaign across the sector from next week.

The Construction Industry Federation issued a note to its members informing them that more than 500 site visits will take place in the space of a fortnight as part of the “focussed” inspection campaign which begins on September 8.

A HSA spokesman confirmed there would be two elements to the campaign — safety while working at a height; and safe practices among smaller operators.