Industrial Estates Warned Of Health And Safety Spot Inspections In Herts And Beds, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 04 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is joining forces with local authorities in Herts and Beds to warn industrial estates of impending health and safety inspections.

The joint inspections between the two enforcing authorities across the two counties, will take place from July 14 and will focus on looking at the four specific areas of workplace transport, falls from height, duty to manage asbestos and Legionella.

The inspectors and officer will be looking at how site owners manage their premises and common health and safety problems such as traffic movements will be identified.

Initially a warning letter will be sent to all businesses on the targeted estates, which will advise them of the forthcoming visits and the potential areas of concern.

Mike Gibb, Principal Inspector with HSE said:

"We are targeting industrial estates as they can present a dangerous environment in which to work with a variety of health and safety risks particularly due to traffic movement in and around the site. Workers and members of the public may be put at risk because of failures by site managers and business owners, to properly consider health and safety.

"Businesses on the estates should be made aware that the local authority and the Health and Safety Executive are undertaking these checks throughout July and will be taking firm action where breaches of legislation are found and where safe working practices are not being followed. Sites where health and safety is taken seriously have nothing to fear, but we will root out those that put lives at risk."

http://www.hse.gov.uk