Research by Unite, the UK’s leading union, has revealed a significant decline in unannounced construction inspections being undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests has discovered that inspections have declined by 31% in less than a decade. In 2013/14, the HSE undertook 11,303 proactive (unannounced) construction inspections, but the figures for the last full year (2021/22) reveals that just 7,793 inspections took place.
The construction sector remains the most dangerous in the UK, making safety inspections vital to protect the safety of workers. Earlier this month it was revealed that 30 construction workers were killed at work in 2021/22.
Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said:
“These figures are shocking, as they demonstrate that the HSE are either unwilling or unable to ensure the safety of construction workers. Construction is a dangerous industry, made more dangerous by unscrupulous employers who risk workers’ lives by ignoring safety laws. If the HSE fails to ensure safety, then deaths and injuries will increase. The safest sites are union organised workplaces where independent union safety reps are able to challenges safety concerns and keep their fellow workers safe. Unite is unstinting in its campaign to increase organisation and reduce deaths throughout the construction industry.”
The biggest regional declines in inspections occurred in Wales, where inspections were down by 57%, followed by the South East (51%) and London (46%). Unite’s research has also revealed a huge decline in the number of enforcement notices (issued to employers to ensure that safety improvements are made) following an inspection. These have declined by 51% from 2,293 in 2013/14 to just 1,119 in 2021/22.
The HSE can enter any premises that inspectors think it necessary to enter for the purposes of enforcing the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and its relevant statutory provisions. HSE inspectors have the power to enter a site or premises, and although the HSE states it should only be at ‘reasonable times’, this can be overlooked if the inspector deems a situation to be immediately dangerous.
Unite national officer for construction, Jason Poulter, said:
“The HSE must explain and justify the sharp decline in construction inspections. For too many employers it is only the fear of being caught which ensures they follow safety laws.”
The HSE responded by saying it has carried out more than 400,000 COVID-19-specific spot checks during the pandemic to ensure businesses were following government guidelines related to the virus.
A HSE spokesperson said:
“The number of inspections we carried out while COVID-19 restrictions were in place was inevitably lower. The number has increased significantly in the last year, focused on sites with the highest risk to workers. Inspections are only one part of what we do to keep workers safe.”