construction legislation.

Building site watchdog Harry D. Powell said new laws should be drawn up to meet the Island's needs.

He added current laws did not clearly spell out responsibilities for those involved in construction projects.

"Our ultimate goal should be to repeal existing legislation and adopt the United Kingdom model,'' declared Bermuda's new Construction Health and Safety Inspector.

Mr. Powell, however, accepted a legislation overhaul was not an immediate prospect.

Instead, he recommended short-term steps to bolster regulations, including those governing heavy equipment. These would ensure that: The turntable of a hydraulic crane was level before operation; Such gear was properly checked and maintained; and Stabilisers were fully extended and deployed before the crane was operated for lifting.

"Regulations can be put into place quite quickly,'' said Mr. Powell.

Powell's `pro-active' approach Mr. Powell returned to Bermuda in 1995 after ten years in Canada, where he entered a competition for the post of Construction Health and Safety Officer with the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

He was short-listed from more than 800 applicants and selected for the job.

Last July, he was hired by Bermuda's Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety.

After completing a mandatory six-month probation, he was confirmed as Construction Health and Safety Inspector.

Yesterday Mr. Powell told The Royal Gazette he was "basically a one-man team''.

And he said one of his aims was to set up a training programme for inspectors.

"It would provide people for me to utilise. We've got to have a proper Bermudianised programme. Too often people are book trained.'' He added: "I would like to see three inspectors -- one for the East End, one for the West End and one for the central parishes. After all, I can't be everywhere at once.'' Although Mr. Powell saw the need for changes, he was keen to stress Bermuda had much to be proud of. And the workplace accident rate was improving.

"I am managing okay. It has not been all bad. By and large the receptiveness to me has been very good and I would like to complement everybody.'' Mr. Powell said education was the key to workplace safety.

"Some people feel we need hundreds of inspectors to police the construction industry. That is not the case.

"The best way to ensure compliance is by negotiation before enforcement.

Although ignorance of the law is not an excuse, I do find in the workplace people are not always aware of the law.

"Where I can I will endeavour to educate, but when I have to enforce I will enforce.'' Mr. Powell said some smaller companies seemed to believe the Health and Safety at Work Act 1982 did not apply to them.

He added: "Generally a pro-active approach works best and has been well received.'' Mr. Powell said current legislation was adequate -- but ideally needed to be rewritten to outline "specific and finite responsibilities for workplace parties''. This would put Bermuda in line with Canada.

"We should repeal the existing legislation and make a clean sweep and put in place legislation that suits the needs of Bermuda.'' See tomorrow's paper for a profile on Mr. Powell.