HSE inspectors witnessed a catalogue of safety blunders as a hit-squad visited 22 construction sites across Haringey.

Enforcement action had to be taken at nine sites, with six prohibition notices served requiring dangerous practices to stop immediately, and six improvement notices served requiring safety improvements to be made.

One site was completely closed down due to exceptionally hazardous conditions.

Mike Williams, Principal Inspector for HSE’s construction division in North and East London said: “We are very concerned at the number of small sites that are failing to take the most basic precautions to protect workers and members of the public.

“Good health and safety on construction sites is a legal requirement and we will continue to clamp down on dangerous practices or poor standards until the message gets through.

“Contractors must properly plan their work and protect their workers from risks such as falls from height or structures collapsing.”

Common issues found during the inspections were:

• Basic precautions were missing, such as edge protection to prevent falls from height
• Work was not properly planned
• Poorly trained site managers
• Inadequate welfare facilities for workers