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Construction union Ucatt has hit out at the Health and Safety Executive鈥檚 handling of its decision to scrap laws requiring construction workers to wear hard hats saying it is 鈥減lacing workers in danger鈥�.

The union claims the HSE has 鈥渂roken promises鈥� to raise awareness of new regulations that came into effect over the weekend, which the union says are less prescriptive.

From Saturday 6 April the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations, requiring construction workers to wear hard hats, were revoked but employers still must comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations, which cover the provision and use of head protection on site.

Steve Murphy, general secretary of Ucatt, said: 鈥淐onstruction workers are being placed in danger by the scrapping of these regulations. Many construction companies will use the scrapping of the regulations as an excuse not to provide life-saving protective equipment.鈥�

He said the HSE had undertaken to promote the change in regulations to ensure all firms knew provision and use of head protection was still needed.

But in March the HSE said it was merely 鈥渟eeking support from industry to deliver the message about the continuing need to provide hard hats鈥�.

Murphy said: 鈥淲orkers who are being placed in danger need to be told whether this is a result of HSE policy, as a result of a lack of resources or because of government intervention.鈥�

The HSE said the changes 鈥渄id not compromise essential health and safety protections鈥� and would 鈥渕ake the legislative framework simpler and clearer鈥�.

It added: 鈥淗SE is taking action to raise awareness of the changes. This includes working with the construction industry (particularly small contractors) to ensure that it understands the continuing need for employers to provide hard hats and ensure they are worn on construction sites. Hard hats remain vital in protecting construction workers from head injuries.鈥�