HSENI To Make Unannounced Site Visits To Tackle Risks Facing Workers

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) is to carry out unannounced site visits to tackle a number of risks facing construction workers.

While there have been improvements in some areas, recent years have shown that construction workers are still dying due to avoidable accidents - this is not acceptable.

In addition, workers' general well-being is not being properly considered and as construction activity increases it is important that everyone in the industry makes health and safety their priority.


The site visits will focus on key health and safety issues and during inspections HSENI inspectors will consider whether:

• the risks to health from exposure to dust such as silica are being adequately controlled (including the use of RPE and face fit tests for this)

• that the appropriate asbestos survey has been completed prior to any refurbishment or demolition work and is available on site

• jobs that involve working at height (WAH) have been properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are being used

• WAH equipment is correctly installed, assembled, inspected, maintained and used properly

• welfare facilities are adequate.

The visits are to start on 24 August.