Health and Safety Clampdown on West Yorkshire Construction Site
A new initiative, aimed at helping to reduce injury and death on construction sites, is being backed by the family of a decorator from Dewsbury who died after suffering long-term injuries due to a fall from an unsuitable ladder.
A weeklong drive that begins on 21st February 2012 will see inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive visit a range of sites in Wakefield and Kirlees as part of a month-long initiative to improve the standards within one of the most dangerous industries in Britain.
Trevor Dawson, 58, sustained his life-changing injuries after his fall. The accident occurred while he was painting the dormer window during a refurbishment project in Newsome, Huddersfield in 2007. He suffered severe brain damage, which result in his admission to a nursing home, as he required 24-hour care. A fit suffered in 2010 and caused by the initial head injuries resulted in his death.
His son, a machine operative, said, “It is still a mystery why my father, who was so safety conscious and had been all his working life, was on a ladder that was not up to standard for the work being undertaken on the site. Any campaign that highlights the dangers faced by workers on building sites gets our support. Safety is paramount – it is someone’s life after all. You don’t get a second chance.”
HSE has also targeted three additional West Yorkshire areas in previous construction campaigns and hope that this year’s initiative will help improve health and safety while reducing death and injury.
