CONSTRUCTION firms endangering workers' lives by ignoring health and safety advice are being asked to put their houses in order.

The Health and Safety Executive is holding an awareness day in Swindon to remind contractors about the common dangers on building sites.

Small building companies, sole traders and the self-employed make up 83 per cent of the industry.

Three quarters of all people killed or hurt on sites across the country work for companies employing fewer than 15 people.

The event follows an inspection carried out by executive inspectors in Swindon on Monday to check up on safety.

The construction industry has admitted the proliferation of sub contractors could be part of the problem

Several small companies are being drafted in to work on every project, which complicates who is responsible.

Steve Frain, an inspector for the Swindon area, said the fragmentation of the industry was a sign of collective irresponsibility.

"Sometimes even the manager doesn't know how many contractors are involved in a project.

"It can be difficult for site managers to enforce their own safety rules," he said.

Asbestos inspectors and removers, electricians, scaffolders, groundworkers, carpenters, plumbers, and heating engineers, all with their own staff and contracts, will enter the site to do their bit before moving on to their next job.

Sometimes these companies will in turn sub-contract work to other companies, after keeping a slice of profit for themselves.

It is cheaper for developers to hire specialist sub-contractors rather than keep them on their books full-time.

Andy Sneddon, Health and Safety Director at the Construc-tion Federation, which represents the industry, suggested the enforcement of health and safety rules was being made more difficult by the industry's desire to maximise profits.

He said: "There is a profusion of sub-contractors on a site at any one time and it's the biggest barrier to good health and safety practices.

"It would be good if one contractor was working on one project, but it's not realistic."

Paul Budding, who is managing a site in Wroughton High Street for Linden Construction, said: "Among sub contractors the turnover is enormous.

"Part of the problem is they will sub contract work two or three times.

"All they care about is getting the job done in the shortest time possible for the most money they can get.

"A lot of my job is checking and reminding people about health and safety it's never ending."

The awareness day is on Tues-day, September 30 at the Oasis Leisure Centre, from 8.30am until 1.30pm, and will feature live action demonstrations and practical advice for businesses.

To find out more call 0117 973 6891.