Work was stopped at just over 40% of the construction sites visited in Cumbria and Lancashire during a two-day inspection initiative this week.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out inspections at 37 sites, including in Barrow and Kendal, and issued 15 enforcement notices.

In total, 1,500 construction sites are being targeted across the UK as part of a new campaign - including 200 in the North West.

Eight of the notices concerned unsafe work at height, including working on dangerous scaffolding or where guard rails were missing. The rest dealt with asbestos, poor electrics, and the general state of sites.

Mark Cottriall, HSE Principal Inspector for Lancashire and Cumbria, said: "It's extremely disappointing that very basic health and safety procedures were not being followed on just over 40 per cent of the construction sites we visited in Lancashire and Cumbria.

"Companies are putting the lives of their employees in danger by not following health and safety procedures, and we're coming down hard on those who ignore the rules.

"None of the issues we had to deal with were unusual, and everybody in the industry should know what steps they need to take. People may think they can save time or money by ignoring the rules but it simply isn't worth the risk.

"We will not tolerate poor health and safety standards on construction sites. Inspectors are determined to protect workers and won't hesitate to stop work, or even prosecute companies, if they find health and safety rules aren't being followed."

Inspectors are hoping the campaign will help to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in the construction industry, especially in the refurbishment, repair and maintenance sector where there were 38 deaths last year. The sector currently accounts for 50 per cent of all construction fatalities, despite it only representing 40 per cent of all activity in the industry.

The HSE is targeting construction sites in Rochdale, Oldham, Barrow, Kendal, Lancaster, Morecambe, Macclesfield, Knutsford, Crewe, Nantwich, Congleton, Chester, Warrington, Northwich, Ellesmere Port, Neston, Runcorn and Widnes in the North West.

In a similar initiative last year 187 inspections were carried out in the North West, with enforcement action being taken in 103 cases. The HSE has warned that contractors can once again expect strong enforcement action.

Inspectors have been targeting contractors to see how they are managing:

  working at height safely;
  good order on sites, and
  the risks associated with asbestos.

During the inspection initiative, HSE inspectors are looking at whether:

  jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place;
  equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly;
  sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls;
  walkways and stairs are free from obstructions;
  work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste;
  the risks associated with the exposure of asbestos to workers and the public are managed correctly, and carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006; and
  the workforce is made aware of risk control measures.

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