New HSE inspectors to be recruited

The HSE is recruiting 40 new inspectors to help in it's fight to reduce the number of accidents at work  - 26th May 2008

Health and safety at work has received a boost in its drive to reduce workplace accidents with the announcement by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are to recruit a further 40 inspectors.

This is especially good news for the HSE construction inspectorate, who will be allocated 10 of the new recruits after they were recently accused of being inadequately resourced by the DWP, who called for urgent action on site safety to help in the fight to reduce the number of accidents in the workplace.

When the new posts are filled, it will take the total number of HSE inspectors to 720, with 134 of these being in the construction sector. This follows the new spending settlement agreed with the DWP up until 2011 which it is understood will see a rise of 3.6% on the previous budget to £715.5 million.

The construction industry has a disproportionately high number of accidents at work, particularly in the refurbishment and house building sectors.