Construction spot checks 'just a sticking plaster'

Health and safety spot checks currently being carried out on the UK's building sites have been written off as no more than a "sticking plaster".

Earlier this week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced plans to increase the number of such checks in the north-east following a spate of high-profile accidents there.

Now, representatives for one of the construction industry's largest trade unions have warned that the blitz will have little benefit.

John Scott, regional secretary for the northern branch of Ucatt (Union for Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians), granted that any health and safety inspections "are to be welcomed".

"However, the general public should not be fooled - this is no more than a very short-term sticking plaster," he remarked.

Mr Scott added: "You do not increase long-term site safety by making a pre-announced one-off inspection."

Ucatt has long-campaigned for more regular building inspections by the HSE, but it wants to see a wide-ranging strategy implemented.

Last year alone, 77 workers were killed on the England's construction sites.

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