HSE/GNN603/W/07 30 October 2007

Transport and construction under the spotlight at north wales health and safety seminar

Safety surrounding vehicles used by construction companies is the theme of a seminar supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to be held in Colwyn Bay next week.

Construction site managers, hire companies, vehicle drivers and others working on construction sites are welcome to attend the session, which is being organised by the North Wales Working Well Together group.

Common incidents on construction sites include:

• Overturning on rough ground, and at the edges of embankments and excavations
• Contact between vehicles and workers on foot
• Driver error due to lack of training or experience on the type of vehicle involved.

Representatives from the Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service and North Wales Police will be amongst the speakers and exhibitors along with HSE and professionals from the construction industry. The seminar will also give practical advice on how construction companies can manage work-related road safety.

HSE inspector Debbie John said: “Vehicle incidents account for a significant proportion of fatalities in the construction industry and this seminar will provide valuable advice to help prevent these incidents.

“Site managers must identify risks posed by vehicles on construction sites and manage them accordingly. It could be a matter of life or death.”

The seminar is being held at Eirias Park Leisure Centre, Colwyn Bay and starts at 9am on the 6th November 2007. Attendance is free of charge, but delegates must contact the organisers beforehand to book their place. For further information call Construction Skills on 07767 655782 (North East Wales) or 07770 947326 (North West Wales).

Notes to editors

• The North Wales Working Well Together consists of a number of organisations from across the area including: Airbus; Chester Masonry Contractors Ltd; Construction Skills; Conwy County Borough Council; North Wales Fire and Rescue Service; Denbighshire County Council; Flintshire County Council; Gwynedd County Council; Jennings Safety Services Ltd; Jones Bros (Ruthin); Watkin Jones Group; Wynne Construction; Anwyl;K&C Building Contractors Ltd; David McLean; NWC Training Group; Redrow; R.L. Davies; Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd; Ynys Mon & Gwynedd Construction Training Group.
• Media wishing to attend the seminar or hold an interview with an HSE inspector should contact Government News Network Wales on 0844 800 6823.

Public enquiries:

HSE InfoLine, Tel: 0845 345 0055, visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact
or write to: HSE InfoLine, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

Media enquiries only:

0844 800 6823.

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network Wales.