Health and safety standards on construction sites in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex have been praised following a series of visits by inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

HSE carried out a week of targeted inspections earlier in March as part of its 'Shattered Lives' and 'Hidden Killer' campaigns - and the results showed a big improvement since the last round of visits in 2008.

Inspectors targeted 11 locations in Norwich, 14 in Great Yarmouth and another 9 in Lowestoft, visiting sites where refurbishment, repair and maintenance projects were taking place. The main issues being looked at were working at height, good site order and the risks associated with the removal of asbestos.

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Inspectors issued three Prohibition Notices during the week, which order work to stop until a problem was been resolved to the HSE’s satisfaction. The first two notices were issued to one site visited in Dereham for unsafe practices when working at height. The third notice was served to prevent employees falling through a fragile roof or from the edge of the roof on a site in Oulton Broads, near Lowestoft.

Inspectors also targeted 15 similar sites in Southend and another 12 in Rayleigh. Two Prohibition Notices, which order work to stop until a problem has been resolved to the HSE's satisfaction, were issued during the week. By comparison, during the last visit one in three sites received a notice.

Nicola Surrey, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, said: "It is very encouraging to see health and safety standards rising in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. There were big improvements and in most cases health and safety was being properly addressed.

"But we must not become complacent. Construction sites are dangerous places to work and it is important health and safety is properly addressed at all times. There were two sites with serious health and safety issues and any serious risk to the workforce is unacceptable."

(CD/JM)