Peter Baker, the Health & Safety Executive Chief Inspector of Construction, is challenging the refurbishment industry to act now to protect its workers.

The call comes after 46% of sites visited in a summer crack-down were found to fall below required standards.

HSE targeted small refurbishment sites during September and into October in a drive to improve standards. As a result of its site visits it issued 692 enforcement notices and 983 notifications of contravention where there were material breaches of health and / or safety.

Inspectors ordered work to be stopped immediately where there were risks such as dangerous work at height and exposure to silica dust and asbestos.

Health & safety breaches were also followed up with clients and designers to remind them of their duties under the Construction Design & Management Regulations (CDM) 2015 and help them understand their responsibilities.

Despite the headline grabbing bad practices, Peter Baker says there were also plenty of exmaples of good practice.

Peter Baker: "It is disappointing that some small refurbishment sites are still cutting corners and not properly protecting their workers. Falls from height are the most common killer in the [construction] industry but we still found workers put at risk to save minutes on the job – believing it wouldn’t happen to them.

“The misconception that health issues cannot be controlled is simply not true and is ruining people’s lives.

"Harmful dust, whether silica or wood, is a serious issue and can be managed effectively with the right design, equipment and training.

"Health effects may not be immediate but the ultimate impact on workers and their families can be devastating.

"Each week 100 construction workers die from occupational diseases.

"HSE inspectors found lots of good examples of small sites carrying out work safely, proving it can be done. Larger construction sites accepted the challenge a few years ago and have made big improvements, which all of the industry can learn from.

"My message to smaller businesses is: don’t wait for an accident or visit from an inspector before you make the change. Act now and learn from your colleagues’ good examples.”