Research by Unite, the UK’s leading union, has revealed a
shocking and frightening decline in vital unannounced
construction inspections being undertaken by the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE).
A series of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests has discovered
that inspections have declined by 31 per cent in less than a
decade. In 2013/14 the HSE undertook 11,303 proactive
(unannounced) construction inspections but the figures for the
last full year 2021/22 reveal that just 7,793 inspections took
place.
The sector remains the most dangerous in the UK, making safety
inspections vital to protect the safety of workers. Earlier this
month it was revealed that 30 construction workers were killed at
work in 2021/22.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “These figures are
shocking, as they demonstrate that the HSE are either unwilling
or unable to ensure the safety of construction workers.
“Construction is a dangerous industry, made more dangerous by
unscrupulous employers who risk workers’ lives by ignoring safety
laws. If the HSE fails to ensure safety, then deaths and injuries
will increase.
“The safest sites are union organised workplaces where
independent union safety reps are able to challenge safety
concerns and keep their fellow workers safe. Unite is unstinting
in its campaign to increase organisation and reduce deaths
throughout the construction industry.”
The biggest regional declines in inspections were in Wales, where
inspections declined by 57 per cent, followed by the South East
(51 per cent) and London (46 per cent).
Unite’s research has also revealed a huge decline in the number
of enforcement notices (which are issued to employers to ensure
that safety improvements are made) following an inspection. The
issuing of these has declined by 51 per cent from 2,293 in
2013/14 to just 1,119 in 2021/22.
Unite national officer for construction Jason Poulter said: “The
HSE must explain and justify the sharp decline in construction
inspections. For too many employers it is only the fear of being
caught which ensures they follow safety laws.”
