HSE warns about building site safety breaches

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says that arbitrary spot checks have found "significant" breaches of health and safety legislation on building sites.

Anyone embarking on a self build should seek advice on how to manage a project, particularly in conjunction with any work commitments they have.

BuildStore urges self builders to visit the building site before or after work, or ideally both.

Catherine Willars, a HSE inspector, said that some site managers' health and safety awareness was reasonable" and they were performing in difficult circumstances, while others were "struggling", so it is important that self builders choose a site manager they can trust.

She added: "Persons in charge of construction activities need training and the competence to do so."

Of the 14 building sites that were visited, ten received enforcement notices, while five prohibition notices were issued that required work to stop immediately.