One in five construction sites in the UK are failing health and safety inspections.

Following the most recent national inspection carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), 348 sites had ‘sufficiently serious' health and safety risks, warranting either stoppage of work or immediate improvements and a further 500 enforcement notices were issued.

A total of 1,759 refurbishment sites and 2,145 contractors were inspected to ensure they were complying with health and safety regulations.

Neeta Laing, head of employment law at Lewis Hymanson Small, said: "The most common concern for HSE when visiting sites was unsafe work at height practices. To avoid falling foul [of the regulations], construction bosses must ensure they take more care and attention when planning jobs at height.

"Employers must ensure equipment is checked and maintained regularly and walkways and stairs should always be free from obstructions.  In the future, HSE inspectors could give harsh penalties for those that don't comply. All employers should now be carrying out a health and safety audit of their site to make sure it's safe and that they are fully prepared for the inspections."