Free safety advice for north Wales builders at Anglesey event

Date:

15 October 2009

Release No:

533/W/09

Construction is one of the UK's most dangerous industries to work in, and company owners and managers can get invaluable advice from those working in the industry at a free safety event to be held in Anglesey next month.

The North Wales Working Well Together (WWT) group, which includes the Health and Safety Executive, will be providing practical demonstrations as well as presentations on some of the main safety issues facing construction firms.

Issues will include work at height, risk assessments and manslaughter. The event also coincides with the launch of the next phase of an HSE campaign aimed at raising awareness amongst tradespeople of the dangers of asbestos, and there will be a practical demonstration related to asbestos management at the event.

HSE Construction Inspector Debbie John said: "Earlier this year, HSE carried out spot checks on sites where refurbishment was being carried out, and the main issue identified was failure to manage the risks from working at height. There were also numerous other risks, including asbestos, that should have been accounted for in proper risk assessments.

"This event is intended to help builders get it right from the start. Many of those who attend events like this actually find that getting it right is surprisingly simple."

The event is being held at Coleg Menai Construction College, Ffordd Penmynydd, Llangefni, Anglesey, starting at 8.30am on 4 November. For further information or to book a place at the event, telephone Dafydd Ellis, Construction Skills - 07770 947326 or email cathryn.mizen@cskills.org

Notes to editors

1. The North Wales Working Well Together group includes the following members: Airbus; Denbighshire County Council; Jones Bros Ruthin; Isle of Anglesey County Council; K&C Construction; Anwyl Homes & Construction; Flintshire County Council; Read Construction, Construction Skills; Gwynedd Council; Redrow; Jennings Safety Services; R. L. Davies; Conwy County Borough Council; Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd, Watkin Jones Group, Wynne Construction, Wrexham County Council, Anglesey & Gwynedd Construction Training Group and HSE.
2. The latest statistics for work-related fatal and major injuries in Wales are available on the HSE website at: Injuries and rates of injuries to employees by country, government office region, county and local authority as reported to all enforcing authorities, by industry in the East of England and Great Britain 2003/04 - 2007/08

Press enquiries

Robert Gage: 0300 123 1008 or 07917 840 838
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HSE InfoLine,
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Caerphilly
CF83 3GG
Tel: 0845 345 0055
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/index

Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News and PR Wales.