HSE suspends routine inspections

ADVERTISEMENT

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has stopped all routine inspections amid safety fears over the coronavirus outbreak.

It’s understood the HSE will continue to respond to serious issues but it has limited contact between individuals to ensure it is following government advice.

It has halted work that cannot be completed from home, aside from essential tasks.

An HSE spokesperson told the Construction News that the organisation “remains committed to responding to any serious issues that arise, in construction or any other sector, and our enforcement priorities have not changed”.

“However, in line with government guidance to cease all but essential work that cannot be done outside of the home, minimising contact between individuals, HSE has paused all proactive inspections at this time to reduce any risk posed to our own staff and to members of the public,” he said.

Most popular ↑

£4.5m scaffolding framework opens for contractors in North East and Yorkshire

Beyond Housing has opened bidding for a £4.5m scaffolding framework covering planned and reactive works across Redcar and Cleveland and parts of North Yorkshire.

£260k Newcastle Cathedral scaffolding contract opens for bids

Newcastle City Council has opened a £260,000 scaffolding tender to provide specialist access for conservation repairs to Newcastle Cathedral’s historic 15th-century Lantern Tower.

Australia steps up push for scaffolding to gain skilled-trade status

Scaffolding Association Australia has taken its campaign for formal trade recognition and a structured apprenticeship pathway to federal decision-makers in Canberra.

Robot inspection removes need for scaffold access on 70m Cemex kiln

A wall-climbing robot has completed ultrasonic testing across a 70m rotary kiln at Cemex’s Rugby cement plant, removing the need for personnel to work at height and avoiding a conventional scaffold or rope-access operation.

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.

Latest news

£500k scaffolding package opens on major North Somerset campus

A £500,000 scaffolding package is among a series of opportunities being brought to market for Epic Systems’ new European headquarters near Bristol, with local contractors being urged to register their interest.
- Advertisement -
More from

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.

London developer fined after required roof scaffold was never provided

A London developer and its director have been fined after unsafe roof work continued despite a subcontractor’s risk assessment identifying scaffolding as a required control.

Bamboo scaffolder recounts dismantling fire-damaged Wang Fuk Court

Hong Kong scaffolder Yip Hon-ying has described how a 30-strong team spent 3 months removing fire-damaged bamboo scaffold from 7 blocks at Wang Fuk Court.

Former Devonport scaffolder dies after asbestos exposure

A former Plymouth scaffolder who worked on Royal Navy ships at Devonport dockyard died from an asbestos-related cancer, an...
Latest articles