Building sites closed over safety

Construction workers were ordered to down tools at seven sites on Merseyside because of serious safety concerns.

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the prohibition orders after spot checks on 15 sites in Southport, Crosby and Bootle on Monday.

Concerns were also raised about a further six and they were given improvement notices, which means they have a set timescale to make changes.

The HSE said site accidents rose by 28% in the UK in 2007, with 77 fatalities.

Legal requirement

Infringements of safety rules on people working at height accounted for the majority of the action, while untidy sites were also a problem, the HSE said.

Those sites ordered to shut down immediately will not be allowed to reopen until remedial work is under taken to improve safety standards.

Inspector Susan Ritchie said: "I was dismayed to find that 13 Enforcement Notices were issued in one day when we inspected just 15 sites.

"There remains a lot of work to be done to improve safety standard in the construction industry in Sefton and the Health and Safety Executive are determined to drive up standards.

"Companies have a legal responsibility to protect the lives of workers and site safety should be paramount."