HSC press release: C043:03 - 1 September 2003
Minister for Work, Des Browne today launched the 2003 Working Well Together Construction Health and Safety Roadshow at the site of the new Royal Bank of Scotland Group headquarters, Gogarburn, Edinburgh.
The Roadshow, featuring an interactive walk-through display, is taking key health and safety advice to construction workers and employers at sites across Great Britain over the next six weeks.
The Working Well Together Campaign promotes best practice and encourages everyone in the industry - workers, supervisors, managers and directors - to take action to improve health and safety performance. The Roadshow is supported by Bovis Lend Lease, Forest Safety Products, Rethinking Construction, Renault Trucks UK Limited, Safesite Limited, Skanska, Taylor Woodrow, Trades Union Congress, Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive.
In launching the Roadshow, Des Browne, the Minister for Work, said:
"The Working Well Together Roadshow aims to prevent injuries and ill-health by delivering vital information and advice to construction workers at their places of work."
The construction industry can be a dangerous place to work. Last year 71 construction workers died (11 of the deaths occurred in Scotland) and many thousands more were injured or suffered from health problems. Since the beginning of April this year 37 construction deaths have been reported to the HSE (one of which occurred in Scotland).
Speaking about fatalities in the construction industry, the Minister said:
"Each workplace death is an unacceptable tragedy. It is encouraging to note the reduction in fatalities in Scotland this year and I hope this continues. However the continuing high number of deaths of construction workers in Great Britain, often caused by foreseeable risks, demonstrates there is no room for complacency.
"The industry support for the Working Well Together Roadshow is a positive sign that the industry is working together to improve its poor health and safety record. The Roadshow will ensure that workers, supervisors and managers are given the very latest information and guidance about workers health and safety."
This year, the Roadshow is focusing on some key ways to reduce on-site risks. The Roadshow targets:
At the launch the Minister was joined by Ernest Sheavills, Director Property Development & Asset Management of Royal Bank of Scotland, Richard Thorpe, Project Director of Mace Ltd, the Principal Contractor at the site, and many of the 650 construction workers at the site.
Pam Waldron, HSE Head of Field Operations responsible for construction in Scotland, said:
"The Royal Bank of Scotland Group headquarters is the biggest construction project currently underway in Scotland. It is also an excellent example of how to effectively manage health and safety issues during the construction process.
"This site shows how much can be achieved by an enlightened client and principal contractor with a positive attitude to health and safety and good worker involvement."
Thousands more workers are expected to visit the WWT Roadshow display as it visits construction sites throughout Scotland, Wales and England over the next six weeks.
On each visit, site workers walk through an information display on the 'High 5' ways to reduce risks, receive an 'Absolutely Essential Survival Kit' and enter the WWT Roadshow competition by completing a health and safety quiz.
Now in its fifth year, the WWT Roadshow has reached over 20,000 workers with health and safety messages since it first began.
Notes to editors
1. In 2002/03 71 fatal injuries of construction workers occurred, which is 31% per cent of the total number of work place fatalities (226) in Great Britain. In 2001/02 there were 80 fatal injuries and 4480 major injuries were sustained by workers in the construction industry.
2. The regional breakdown of fatal injuries to construction workers in 2002/03 are:
| Region | Workers injured |
|---|---|
| Wales and South West | 5 |
| East and South East | 10 |
| London | 11 |
| Midlands | 14 |
| York and North East | 9 |
| North West | 11 |
| Scotland | 11 |
| Total | 71 |
3. The WWT Roadshow tour dates are:
4. WWT Roadshow is supported by Bovis Lend Lease, Forest Safety Products, Rethinking Construction, Renault Trucks UK Limited, Safesite Limited, Skanska, Taylor Woodrow, Trades Union Congress, Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive.
5. Working Well Together (WWT) is the country's leading construction health and safety campaign, supported by the construction industry, trade unions and the Health and Safety Executive. For further information check out the WWT Campaign website at http://wwt.uk.com. To join WWT call 0845 27 27 500.
All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office
Social media
Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.
Follow HSE on Twitter:
Follow @H_S_E