Similar to the unannounced visits to construction sites by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at the beginning of this year, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) will also be carrying out unannounced visits to sites in Northern Ireland from 1 September.
The unannounced checks will take place over a two week period when HSENI inspectors will visit construction sites to check work is meeting the expected standards, and if workers are at risk, inspectors may take action to shut down the building site.
The visits will focus on working at height, working with asbestos, the control of silica dust and use of mechanical lifting equipment for heavy materials.
In addition, HSENI inspectors will look at how sites are managed, whether risk assessments are being used properly, if sites are tidy and whether they have good welfare facilities.
Announcing the new series of inspections, Nancy Henry who heads up HSENI’s construction group said, "Construction is one of the more dangerous industries and a lax attitude to health and safety costs people's lives.
"Many accidents and risks to health are completely avoidable by putting in place very simple and sensible measures that are well known across the industry.
"HSENI will continue to provide advice to the industry but, as we've demonstrated in previous years, we will not hesitate to take action if we find poor practices that are putting the lives of workers at risk."
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