We have heard on the local news that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have recently been targeting the far South West region. In February they targeted a number of businesses in Saltash, Cornwall and in March a number of construction sites in the region.

Almost half of the building sites in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall were dangerous according to inspectors – they visited 54 sites and issued enforcement notices at 25. Most of the notices related to unsafe work being carried out at height. There were 272 injuries on buildings sites in Dorset, Devon and Cornwall in 2009/10. Nationally, nearly three-quarters of all fatalities occur during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities.

These serve as another reminder to all of us, as employing organisations, to ensure our Health & Safety is ‘up to scratch’. It is so easy to let it all fall by the way-side! As a result we are introducing free 2 hour Health & Safety audits for local micro, small and medium sized employers. It will help you to see what is going right and what is going wrong. If you are interested don’t delay in contacting us – it could just save you a small fortune!