A recent two day clamp down on these types of projects has revealed significant and repeated failures but specialist building contractors to properly assess and control risk in these types of projects. Basement construction has become extremely popular in many London Boroughs over the past 3-5 years so those engaging in basement conversion projects can expect much more attention from HSE in the coming months.
If you wish to protect yourself and your business against FFI costs please talk to us about our indemnity scheme and support packages.
Basement conversions in London fall well below safety standards
Over a third of domestic basement projects in three London boroughs failed unannounced safety checks during a two-day clampdown, according to figures from the HSE.
During the inspection initiative in November a team of HSE inspectors visited 107 sites across Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster.
The initiative revealed that enforcement action was taken at 36 of those sites [an overall rate of 34%] with 41 prohibition notices served requiring dangerous practices to stop with immediate effect, and 21 improvement notices served requiring safety improvements to be made.
According to the HSE, the majority of the prohibition notices related to unsafe work at height, with dangerous excavations also an area of concern. It is worthy of note that inadequate welfare provision accounted for three quarters of the improvement notices.
The HSE’s lead inspector for the initiative believed that some progress is being made despite the evidence that there is still cause for concern.
Commenting on the results, Andrew Beal, principal inspector for the HSE’s construction division in the city and south west London, said:
“The overall picture is on a par with other targeted inspections of basement work, and we also identified the same kind of problems relating to unsafe work at height and excavations and poor welfare facilities.
“That suggests the message isn’t getting through, or that there is complacency towards health and safety across this sector of the construction industry. But that isn’t necessarily the case.”
The HSE stated that the results show that contractors who have previously engaged with the HSE in activity of this kind have made improvements – with the poorest standards identified generally among firms who were previously unknown to inspectors.
“This illustrates that lessons have been learned, and we hope the latest failings that required action will have a similar impact,” Mr Beal added.
If you’ve got questions or need support on safety in the industrial, contracting or construction sectors please contact us for sensible and proportionate advice on 01453 800100
