Bradford council will conduct health and safety inspections

A local authority is launching an initiative in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to crack down on unsafe workplaces.

Bradford council will be working with the organisation in order to carry out inspections of inner city areas.

These will focus on areas including working at height, manual handling and equipment use.

In 2006-07, there were three deaths in the region and more than 250 serious injuries.

Environmental health manager for the council John Blanchfield claims this initiative is not trying to catch companies out but intends to encourage compliance in order to reduce the number of accidents occurring.

He says: "There is a real need to work with the business community to ensure they understand what is required of them, to help improve their health and safety practices and reduce the risk of injury."

As part of the scheme, advice will be offered to firms to help them improve the level of protection they offer their workers.

The HSE has also recently announced it will be joining forces with county councils in the Essex area to help dispel myths surrounding health and safety precautions.