COMPANIES which put workers' lives at risk could face prosecution if they are caught in a new safety blitz.

The warning comes from the Health and Safety Executive as they launched inspections of building sites across the North West.

The five days of inspections were due to start today and will focus on the smaller sites and businesses.

Forty inspectors will travel around the region and immediately stop work on any site that does not meet safety standards -- over 100 notices were served in a similar blitz in London last month.

The inspectors will be on the look-out for such things as the lack of scaffolding, netting, harnesses or even proper ladders.

Sarah Mallogh, Principal Inspector for Construction in Lancashire, said: "Although we will be concentrating on falls from height, we will also address other health and safety issues where we find poor standards.

"Out of the 291 work-related deaths last year, 106 were on construction sites and the construction sector accounts for nearly half of all fatalities in industry.

"We will take immediate action against those who flout health and safety law. The industry must improve its standards, there is no excuse."