Govt launches enquiry into construction dangers

05/12/2008

The government has launched an inquiry into the construction industry, to help identify causes of serious accidents and improve safety.

Following a detailed analysis of the underlying causes, including non-health and safety issues, the inquiry will then report to Ministers and the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) board.

Secretary of state for the Department for Work and Pensions, James Purnell appointed Rita Donaghy to chair the inquiry.

Ms Donaghy said she is "keen to get started and work with the trade unions, the industry and the Health and Safety Executive".

She hopes to improve health and safety in construction jobs by seeing "what lessons we learn from the root causes of construction accidents".

Under UK law, employers must assess the risks in their own workplace, identify hazards, decide who is in danger, and decide how risks could be reduced.

The HSE advises employers: "The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as 'reasonably practicable'."

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