HSE Inspection Campaign underway

The HSE inspection campaign that runs for three weeks is now underway as of Monday (3rd September). The details are as follows:

The campaign is similar in style to the one Construction Inspectors carry out each March and each area of the country has had some freedom on selecting the topics to be inspected. The target of work for this campaign in Scotland, for example, is external working at height - a fairly wide subject matter.

Inspectors will be out driving their geographic areas and may inspect sites where external working at height is being carried out. Some examples of what will be being looked at include:

Scaffolding - safe to use, inspections up to date and recorded, scaffolders method statement and compliance with SG 4.10, designed or not, ties pull tested and evidenced.

Mobile towers - erected correctly, being used safely, trained erectors, falling tools materials considered.

Ladders/Step Ladders - in good condition, being used safely (3 points of contact). correct equipment for job?

Lanyards and Harnesses - good condition, inspections and maintenance, user trained, correct type of lanyard (fall arrest or work positioning).

Safety Nets - erected properly, inspected, close as possible to fall, sufficient room for deflection.

Edge protection - adequate to withstand sideways impact of person and compliant with WAH Regs 2005.

Soft landing systems - fitted properly with no gaps and of correct depth to absorb.

MEWPS - correct selection of MEWP, operator trained, MEWP LOLER examined, correct harness and lanyard, segregated from other work, consideration of crush prevention systems.

Falling materials - control measures to prevent materials falling or exclusion zones or prevent injury from falling materials.

Fragile Roofs - correct application of Work at Height Regs Reg 9 hierarchy.