Poor standards and dangerous practices were found at nearly half of the building sites visited during a month-long safety drive carried out by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

During a nationwide campaign throughout the month of September, the HSE visited 2,607 sites where refurbishment or repair work was taking place.

Inspectors found basic safety standards were not being met on a total of 1,105 sites. On 644 sites, practices were so poor that enforcement action was necessary to protect workers – with 539 prohibition notices served ordering dangerous activities to stop immediately and 414 improvement notice issued requiring standards to improve.

The most common problems identified included failing to protect workers during activities at height, exposure to harmful dust and inadequate welfare facilities.

When carrying out their site visits, HSE inspectors considered a number of issues. Jobs that involved working at height had to be identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions, such as the proper support of structures, were in place.

They checked that equipment was correctly installed, assembled, inspected, maintained and used properly, and that proper monitoring and control arrangements were in place to prevent unnecessary exposure to harmful dusts.

The construction sites had to be well organised to avoid trips and falls, with walkways and stairs free from obstructions. Work areas had to be clear of unnecessary materials, with adequate waste and welfare facilities.

Heather Bryant, HSE's chief inspector of construction, said: "It is disappointing to find a significant number of sites falling below acceptable health and safety standards. Where our inspectors encountered poor practice this often went hand in hand with a lack of understanding. Through initiatives like this we are able to tackle underlying issues before they become established and we will continue to work with the industry in an effort to drive up standards. However, those who recklessly endanger the health and lives of their workforce can expect to face tough consequences."

Inspectors made unannounced visits to construction sites to ensure they were managing high-risk activity, such as working at height and the control of exposure to harmful dusts. Inspectors were also looking for good site order, sound structures and basic welfare facilities.

For more information about the initiative, including examples of the good and bad practice discovered during the campaign, visit www.hse.gov.uk/construction/campaigns/safersites/index.htm.