HSE health inspection initiative in construction webinar. 17 November 2014

Transcription

1 HSE health inspection initiative in construction webinar 17 November 2014

2 Health and and Safety Executive Think health HSE inspection initiative 2014 Ian Strudley HM Principal Specialist Inspector Head of Health Risk Management Unit Construction Division HSE

3 What I ll do. Background Why is there a problem in construction HSE targeting what inspectors are and aren t looking at. Enforcement data from inspection initiative What s next..?

4 Background HSE s former Chief Inspector Heather Bryant : We recognise the construction sector s progress in reducing the number of people killed and injured by its activities. But it is clear from these figures why there is an unacceptable toll of ill-health and fatal disease in the industry. We will make sure the construction industry thinks health, as well as safety.

5 Why is it a problem? Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

6 Why is it a problem? Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

7 Why is it a problem in construction? Number of construction safety related fatalities 2013 / 14: 42

8 Accident v Ill Health Fatals

9 Burden of occupational cancer Lesley Rushton et al Imperial College London: bjc/journal/v107/n1s/index.html

10 What s the problem? Occupational cancers = 5.3% of total 2005 deaths registrations % male registrations in construction

11 Where s the problem in construction Asbestos Solar radiation Silica Painters Diesel engine exhaust emissions PAHs Coal tars / pitches

12 Where s the problem in construction Not all fatal diseases, but Lifting and Carrying Handling is most common over 7- day injury in the industry. Skilled construction and building trades have one the highest estimated rates of back and upper limb disorders Noise and Vibration Industry has one of the largest number of new disablement benefit claims cases.

13 HSE targeting What are we looking at.. What aren t we looking at..

14 What do we need to do..? Need to refocus: Treat health like safety Managing health risks is no different to managing safety risks Ill health can be prevented It is possible and practical to carry out construction work without causing ill health Everyone as a role to play Everyone must take ownership of their part of the process

15 What do we need to do..? Occupational Risks v Lifestyle Issues

16 What do we need to do..? Surveillance/Monitoring? Risk Control?

17 So, what do we do..? Control the risk not the symptoms Monitoring and health surveillance are not enough on their own. The first priority is to stop people being harmed Manage risk, not lifestyle Helping workers tackle lifestyle issues may be beneficial but is not a substitute for preventing workrelated ill health.

18 2014 Health Inspection Initiative Visits: Aimed to conduct 500 inspections during the twoweek period 570 sites visits with 896 contractors inspected. 839 inspections recorded.

19 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Silica

20 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Other hazardous substances

21 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Manual handling

22 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Noise and vibration

23 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Welfare

24 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - topics Asbestos

25 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Enforcement Strong returns despite no specific enforcement expectations: 13 PNs were served. 108 INs were served 267 NoCs were issued at 146 sites.

26 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Enforcement topics

27 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions Long latency disease effects of health issues means fewer topics / appropriate situations for PNs compared to immediacy of safety? INs and NoCs valuable enforcement tools for health? A perception of managing health risks well and going beyond requirements by e.g. wellbeing initiatives. Higher proportion of dust/ welfare enforcement More visible? A significant issue on most sites?

28 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : dusts Most significant enforcement area but still an improving picture: Contractors starting to look more at removing risk or improving available controls. Risk awareness amongst larger contractors is generally high but issues not necessarily adequately controlled

29 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : dusts Focus has moved on from silica to include other dusts. Much greater appreciation / use of extraction systems but not always to the correct standard and dry sweeping remains an issue. Reliance on RPE

30 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : other substances For example : Asbestos: missing surveys and instruction / training. Lead: Roofing and old paint Dichloromethane / Solvents: e.g. as a carpet adhesive. Dermatitis: Rendering, cement etc. Isocyanate products: Manually applied rather than sprayed.

31 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : noise and vibration General focus on management arrangements rather than specific controls Sites placing a lot of reliance on monitoring / recording vibration trigger time Reliance on hearing protection for noise

32 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : manual handling Broader discussions covering both management arrangements and specific controls Earlier work on kerbs and paving seems embedded. More evidence of good practice. References made to MAC tool, lifting solutions and designing out.

33 2014 Health Inspection Initiative - Conclusions : manual handling There were some recurring problems: Heavy Plasterboard Heavy glazing / installation problems

34 What s next?

35 What s next?

36 So, in conclusion remember.. Think Health! Greater focus on health, not just by HSE

37 Thank you for participating any questions? Ian Strudley HM Principal Specialist Inspector Head of Health Risk Management Unit Construction Division HSE