The carried out over 1000 spot checks of refurbishment sites across Great Britain during February as part of its rolling inspection programme targeting poor performing sectors in the construction industry.

"We stopped work on site immediately during approximately 300 inspections because we felt there was a real possibility that life would be lost or ruined through serious injury," said  Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive.

"Our inspectors were appalled at the blatant disregard for basic health and safety precautions on refurbishment sites across Great Britain."

HSE's construction division reported that basic safety precautions were being flouted and issues such as work at height remain a huge concern. Over half of the enforcement action taken during this inspection initiative was against dangerous work at height, which last year led to the death of 23 workers.

Last year over half of the workers who died on construction sites worked in refurbishment, and the number of deaths on refurbishment sites rose by 61%.

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