HSE/EM/306/07 30 October 2007

HSE and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland working well together group aim to reduce high rates of fatal and major injury in construction Health and safety days in Leicestershire for small construction firms

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and The Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Working Well Together Group (LNRWWT) are hosting two special workshops on 8 and 29 November in Leicestershire in a bid to reduce the high rates of fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry.

In 2005/2006 there were 59 fatal injuries and 4419 major injuries to workers in construction.  With this in mind HSE and the Working Well Together programme has organised two free half day events in Leicestershire as the latest in a nationwide series of Construction Safety, Health and Awareness Days (SHADs) to advise those in the business on good practice and safety procedures when on site.  The first takes place on 8 November at the Quality Hotel in Loughborough.  The second takes place on 29 November at Leicestershire County Cricket Club in Leicester. 

These special Leicestershire Managers Awareness Days are aimed at small/medium contractors, sole traders and the self-employed, who together make up 83% of the industry, giving them the opportunity to find out about the latest developments in improving health and safety.

Mrs Samantha Peace, Principal Construction Inspector for Leicestershire, said:

“Small companies can sometimes miss out on health and safety information and developments in best practice.  Small contractors can underestimate the impact poor health and safety performance can have on their own lives and those who work with them and the financial impact on their business if things go wrong.  They can find training expensive and difficult to arrange. If you run a small building, construction or contracting company, or if you are self employed, these free events are a must.”

Areas of greatest risk on construction sites will be highlighted and the latest information on a variety of topics including:

Workplace Transport:

• Traffic management
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Safety features on workplace transport
• Management of Asbestos
• Legal responsibilities of managers

The event will spread construction safety messages ‘for the industry, from the industry’ as these events involve partnership and support between HSE and large contracting companies from across the country, as well as Construction Skills, and the Federation of Master Builders.

Notes to editors

1. The free half day events will take place at the Quality Hotel, Loughborough on 8 November and Leicestershire County Cricket Club, County Ground, Grace Road, Leicester on 29 November.  For both events registration commences at 8.30 for a 9.00 start.  Tea/coffee will be available at this time and lunch will be provided free of charge. The event will end with lunch at around 12.30 pm.
2. For a copy of the event programme or to book a place call Claire Behan on 01604 738367.
3. This event is one of a nationwide series of Construction Health, Safety and Awareness Days (SHADs) and is part of the Working Well Together campaign. 
4. Small firms unable to attend the event can still find out how to stay safe by ringing HSE Books on 01787 8811165 for a free copy of the Absolutely Essential Health and Safety Toolkit for smaller construction contractors or visiting the Working Well Together website at www.wwt.com

Public enquiries

HSE’s InfoLine 0845 345 0055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

Press enquiries

0115 9712787.

Further information on work at height is available on the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

Issued on behalf of HSE by Government News Network East.