Safety Fears as Construction Inspections Fall to Record Low

UNANNOUNCED INSPECTIONS of construction sites have fallen to a record low, according to research carried out by Unite, the construction union.

A freedom of information request made by the union discovered that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) undertook only 7,647 unannounced inspections in 2022/23. This is a 2% decline on the previous (pandemic) year when there were 7,793 inspections.

Construction is one of the most dangerous sectors in the UK and unannounced HSE inspections are critical in ensuring that employers don’t ignore safety laws and risk the lives of their workers, says Unite.

However, the number of inspections conducted by the HSE has been constantly falling since 2010 when the Conservative-led government reduced its funding as part of austerity cut backs. In 2013/14, the HSE made 11,303 proactive inspections – they have declined by nearly a third (32%) since that time.

Construction Safety Fears

Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “These are highly disturbing figures, levels of construction work aren’t decreasing, so how can construction workers be kept safe when inspections continue to decline?

“Construction remains the UK’s most dangerous industry and it is completely unacceptable for construction safety to be undermined in this manner.”

Jerry Swain, Unite National Officer

Unite National Officer, Jerry Swain, added: “The truth is that many construction employers are all too prepared to play fast and loose with construction safety and it is only the fear of being caught that keeps them on the straight and narrow.

“The declining number of inspections will sadly increase the temptation to cut corners on safety.”

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