Health and safety inspectors are planning to visit businesses in the Hammersmith area of west London on Tuesday (09/02/10) and Wednesday, in a drive to clamp down on unsafe working practices, including working at height and machinery safety.

In 2008-09, a total of 76 people sustained major injuries at work in the borough – and 267 people suffered injuries requiring more than three days absence from work.

The focus of the initiative will be on providing help and advice to businesses, but inspectors will also take enforcement action if necessary to ensure any essential improvements are made.

The drive will target managing risks in relation to areas such as workplace transport, safe practices when working with machinery, manual handling, slips, trips and falls in the workplace, working at height and working with asbestos – with the aim of protecting workers from accidents and conditions that might affect their health and wellbeing.

HSE principal inspector Mike Gibb said:

‘As well as the distress and human cost of work-related incidents and ill-health, there is also the significant cost to businesses themselves.

‘Many of these injuries can easily be prevented and inspectors will be looking at how employers control risks to their own staff and members of the public.

‘HSE has produced a wealth of guidance to help businesses, including small firms. Most of this is now available free online at our website,’ Mr Gibb advised.

‘This is a first of a series of targeted inspections and my team will be visiting other London boroughs over the course of the year.

‘I would encourage all employers to take the time to look at their working practices – and what they could be doing to reduce the potential for injuries and to generally improve the health and safety of all who work there.’

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