For the last two weeks of August, the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate (norw. arbeidstilsynet) carried out inspections at construction sites. According to Arbeidstilsynet.no, nearly half of them had to be closed due to serious security deficiencies.
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Almost 400 checks
Over the last two weeks, the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate has carried out 400 inspections construction sites. They were carried out as part of a campaign aimed at improving safety and reducing accidents at work in the construction industry. Inspectors immediately stop work at a given site if they notice serious safety deficiencies. This was the case with 140 places inspected during the last two weeks of August.
70% of the cases concerned work at heights
According to Arbeidstilsynet.no, 70% of decisions to suspend work resulted from inadequate securing of activities performed at heights. According to the Labor Inspectorate's employees, 30% of occupational accidents concern falls from heights, therefore it was decided to put special emphasis on this type of work.
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Most of the irregularities concerned incorrectly erected scaffolding, as well as the location of too large platforms on their top. There was also a problem with insufficient safeguards to prevent a fall. Some of the employees also did not have access to a toilet or break rooms.
Most accidents are falls from heights
According to the Norwegian Labor Inspectorate, statistically most accidents at work concerned falls from heights. These events have serious health consequences and are also a common cause of death on construction sites. That is why the decision was made to conduct routine inspections twice a year - this was the case in 2017 and now, in 2018.
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The checks are paying off
Although, in common opinion, these inspections do not bring the expected results, the Labor Inspectorate sees some progress. This applies, inter alia, to entrepreneurs who were punished during previous inspections - during the second visit of the inspectors, all safety rules were already complied with. The awareness of the employees themselves, who did not undertake work at heights without adequate protection measures, has also increased.
Construction site inspections - Penalties of NOK 15,2 million have already been imposed
This year, the Labor Inspectorate has already imposed fines totaling NOK 15,2 million for breaches of safety on construction sites. Most of them related to the lack of adequate protection measures for employees performing activities at heights. So far, the highest fine imposed on one company was PLN 300. NOK.
