More than a quarter of the construction sites visited in Cumbria last week failed safety inspections.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out checks at 45 construction sites in the county during two days of intensive inspections.

They issued a total of 14 enforcement notices at 12 sites on 18 and 19 March, either stopping work immediately or requiring improvements to be made. The majority of the notices covered unsafe work being carried out at height.

HSE advisers also met more than 200 contractors in Cockermouth, where many homes and businesses are now being refurbished following the November floods.

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Mark Cottriall, HSE's Principal Inspector for Construction in Cumbria, said: "The majority of the construction sites our inspectors visited had good health and safety procedures in place. But the other 12 sites are letting the rest of the industry down and putting workers' lives at risk.

"We will continue to make unannounced visits to sites, and take enforcement action when necessary, until the message gets across. It simply isn't worth taking risks to try and save money.

"HSE staff were also on hand in Cockermouth to give advice and support to construction workers following the recent floods. I hope it will lead to the refurbishment projects being completed without injury."

Newly released figures from HSE show there were 120 serious injuries on construction sites in Cumbria last year. The intensive inspections took place as part of a month-long initiative aimed at stopping dangerous practices on building sites across Great Britain.

(CD/GK)