The Health and Safety Executive will be carrying out two-day inspections of basement projects in high-value London boroughs.

From next Monday construction inspectors will be focusing on sites in Kensington and Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham in regards to safety improvements after a raft of fatal incidents have occurred in the past 10 years.

Over this period, the HSE has received 17 reports of construction workers dying as a result of an excavation collapsing while 27 people were seriously injured.

Inspection teams will be looking at key safety issues including collapsing excavations, risk of building collapse from structural alterations, dangers of handling heavy steel beams, poor access and open or unprotected parts of sites.

James Hickman an HSE construction inspector who covers south-west London said the construction of basements in London is increasingly widespread.

“The work is technically challenging and can carry substantial risk. Standards are often poor and often vulnerable sections of the labour market are recruited,” said James.

“Contractors are failing to appoint a competent temporary works engineer to design suitable propping to support excavations and existing structures. Likewise, on many projects basic safeguards are missing, such as edge protection to prevent falls from height. And all too often little thought is given to providing proper welfare facilities for site workers.

“Where we find poor practice that is putting lives at risk we will take action, including stopping work and prosecuting those responsible.”