Working at heights is cited as a major HSE concern

Inspectors have issued eight improvement and four prohibition notices at businesses in Peterborough.

Staff working at height and unsafe works' transport brought most concern.

As a result of the findings, inspectors will carry out further checks in the city, said Mike Gibb, HM principal inspector for the area.

Mr Gibb said: "Our visits concentrated on workplace transport and working at height, but we also looked at the control of occupational asthma, slips, trips and manual handling risks.

Firms warned

"Most of the companies targeted in the blitz had received a letter from HSE advising that inspectors would be in the area in November, and the letter pointed out the areas of risk that would be targeted.

"The inspectors were therefore disappointed that several serious matters were found which resulted in enforcement notices being served."

Improvement Notices are issued when there is a breach of the law but no immediate risk; the firm typically has two months to comply.

A Prohibition Notice means there is an immediate risk and the business must stop the relevant activity until the problem is fixed to the HSE's satisfaction or risk prosecution.