Industry news
HSE inspectors to improve Sunderland industrial estates
Posted Fri, 30 Oct 2009
Industrial Estates in Sunderland are to receive a boost from health and safety inspectors aiming to improve standards and make businesses in the area safer.
Inspectors from Sunderland City Council and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have come together to raise awareness and promote sensible management in local industrial estates.
The inspections will begin on 2 November and will continue in the Sunderland area for three weeks.
In cases where standards fail to meet legal requirements the inspectors will take action to improve the businesses.
Several key topics that the inspectors will focus on include risks relating to asbestos and how it is being managed, safety aspects when working from height and how workplace transport is controlled.
Inspectors are also keen to encourage and find out how employers are promoting health and safety through active leadership from management and involving staff in achieving ideal working conditions.
HSE Inspector Jonathan Wills said: "Asbestos-related diseases are the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK.
"Those that are responsible for the maintenance and repair of premises have a legal duty to manage asbestos and we'll be keen to see how the issue is being managed on local sites during our inspections."
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