The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched the second wave of its targeted construction site inspection scheme across the UK.

The initiative will examine scenarios such as falls from height as well as focusing on control of harmful dusts including respirable silica from concrete, brick and stone, asbestos and wood dust, as well as work at height, structural safety, materials handling, good order and welfare provision.

More than 2,000 inspections were carried out during the first phase of the campaign this year, with action being taken to address issues in almost half of visits.

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A total of 43 workers were killed on sites in 2015/16 with an estimated ten times that number dieing from construction related ill-health. A further 65,000 reported non-fatal injuries.

HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction and Director of Construction Division, Peter Baker, said nearly half of construction fatal accidents and injuries reported to HSE involved refurbishment work.

"In phase 1 of this campaign HSE's inspectors found lots of good examples of small sites working safely and protecting workers health from exposure to harmful dusts, proving it can be done," he said.

"My message to smaller businesses is don't wait for an accident or a visit from an HSE inspector – learn from the success of others and act now.

"Some small refurbishment sites continue to cut corners and not properly protect their workers resulting in an unacceptable number of deaths and injuries each year."

(LM)