HSENI plan major, 2-week long construction site inspection initiative

The Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is due to start a 2-week long programme of construction site inspections, commencing from Monday 16 September 2019.

The initiative is aimed at tackling poor standards and unsafe practices as well as reducing ill health, death and injury in the industry. Site visits will take place all throughout Northern Ireland and will cover local building sites.

Why has the HSENI launched this initiative?

The HSENI has undertaken major analysis, based on the last five years, of major injury incidents in the construction sector. The analysis revealed that there were three leading causes for around 70% of these major incidents. These are:

• Falls
• Struck by objects
• Slips or trips

Based on these finding, the inspection initiative will focus on several key areas, all with a view to assessing and ensuring that construction businesses are managing risks and taking measures to mitigate or eliminate those risks.

What will the inspections focus on?

The HSENI has revealed that there are some key considerations involved in the initiative’s programme of inspections. Here, we take a look at those considerations and give you some questions to consider if the HSENI arrived at your business’ door.

Site management – is your site management competent and fit for purpose?

• Is paperwork up to date and available (construction phase plan/risk assessments/method statements)?
• Have inductions taken place and do they have records?
• Are site inspections being carried out?
• Have people had the right training for the job? Remember as a Citation client you have access to hundreds of online training courses to help you make sure everyone is on the same page.

Working at height – has this been properly planned? Are appropriate internal and external fall prevention measures in place?

• Have risk assessments been carried out for working at height?
• Are rescue plans in place?
• Is access equipment suitable?
• Have people had the right training for the job?

Site organisation – is your site well organised? Have you got provisions in place to avoid slips, trips and falls?

• How are construction sites supervised?
• Have site rules been issued to contractors?
• How is the site kept clean and tidy?

Walkways and stairs – are they free from obstructions?

Welfare facilities

• Have you provided a suitable place for employees to take comfort breaks and to rest, drink and eat? Remember, you can always refer to our Factsheet No. 30 CDM NI Welfare Arrangements for more guidance on this point.

Vehicles and pedestrians – is site traffic safely managed? Are vehicles and pedestrians segregated?

• Is there a site plan which considers the safety of pedestrians and movement of plant and vehicles?

Health risks from exposure to hand-arm vibration

• Has a vibration risk assessment been carried out?
• Is the equipment maintained?
• Do employees know about vibration risks?

Face inspections confidently with Citation…

If you’ve got questions about the prospect of an upcoming visit from the Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland, remember that as a valued Citation you can contact us for support 24/7, 365 days a year.

Whatever your question, give our expert Health & Safety team a call on 0345 844 4848.