Examples of bad and even dangerous working practices have been found by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors during random spot checks on refurbishment sites in Dundee and Angus last week.

Seventeen sites received an unannounced visit from the HSE last week, and as a result, prohibition notices were issued at eight sites, stopping work activity, and one Improvement Notice was issued.

Working at height and good site order were the focus of the inspection activity, and work was stopped because of poor standards relating to working at height and maintaining sites in good order. One site had no fire evacuation procedures in place, and another was carrying out work without the benefit of an asbestos survey.

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Jim Skilling, Principal Inspector of Health and Safety, said: "We were disappointed to find a very mixed picture during our visits to sites in Dundee and Angus. Although some sites were being run well, in many instances our inspectors were appalled at the willingness to ignore basic things and considered that they were simply accidents waiting to happen, that could have resulted in serious injury or even fatalities.

"We will not tolerate poor standards and will take appropriate enforcement action proactively as well as when an accident occurs."

He concluded: "Our advice to those who work in the refurbishment sector is to plan work, use competent workers and if working at height use the right equipment and use it safely."

Last year 77 workers, 10 of who were from Scotland, died in the construction industry in Great Britain, and over half of these were in the refurbishment sector, where the number of deaths rose by 61%.

HSE aims to inspect 1,000 refurbishment sites across Great Britain throughout February to tackle poor safety standards.

(JM)