Date of article: 19/09/2007
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A third of all sites involved in refurbishment work, are putting workers' lives at risk.
The figures have been compiled by the Health and Safety Executive under its day-to-day normal inspection programme. Stephen Williams, the HSE's head of construction, said "Our inspectors were appalled at the apparent willingness to ignore basic safety precautions."
The HSE made nearly 1,600 inspection in June and July, stopping work immediately 244 times. It issued more than 400 enforcement notice.
The figures come as the Government hosts a safety summit next week following last year's rise in construction fatalities, which climbed to 77 - the highest figure for five years.
Housing and refurbishment is being blamed for the rise, with 39 people being killed on refurbishment, repair and maintenance sites. Just under two-thirds of this figure were involved in falls from height.
Mr Williams said: "The simple fact is that despite knowing what they should be doing, too many people are prepared to allow bad practices to continue. My advice to those who work in refurbishment is to plan work, use competent workers and if working at height use the right equipment and use it safely.
"Let me be clear to all those who put lives at risk - we will carry out further inspections and will take all action necessary to protect workers, including closing sites and prosecution."
Next Monday's safety summit will be held at the Thistle Hotel near Charing Cross station in central London. The Construction Safety Campaign has said it will be outside the venue to protest at rising deaths.
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