Rebuilding Cockermouth safely - event aims to cut serious injuries

Date:

22 June 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/029SHADCockermouth

Advisers from the Health and Safety Executive are returning to Cockermouth to offer support to workers rebuilding the town following last year's floods.

HSE figures show, on average, a construction worker is seriously injured in Cumbria every three days, and the free event in Cockermouth will aim to prevent future injuries.

It will take place at the Sheep and Wool Centre on Egremont Road on Wednesday 30 June, and is targeting self-employed builders and the owners of small building firms.

Builders who visit the event will be able to see the latest safety equipment, practical demonstrations and get advice from health and safety professionals. The topics covered will include asbestos, work at height, working in confined spaces, skin conditions, dust suppression and personal protective equipment.

Robin Gonard, a HSE Construction Inspector in Cumbria, said: "There's a huge amount of building work taking place in Cockermouth at the moment to help the town get back on its feet following last year's floods.

"We want to make sure the work is being carried out safely, without any serious injuries. That's why we've teamed up with experts in the construction industry to offer support and advice on health and safety.

"We'll be in Cockermouth from early in the morning on 30 June so I hope both self-employed builders and those from small building companies will come along."

The safety event in Cockermouth has been organised as part of the Working Well Together initiative - a partnership between HSE and the construction industry - which aims to improve health and safety in the sector.

It is taking place between 7.30am and 12.30pm on 30 June, and workers can drop in at any time for free advice. HSE advisers also spent two days on Main Street in Cockermouth in March, where much of the damage was caused by last year's floods.

Construction is one of Britain's most dangerous industries. There were 231 major injuries in Cumbria during the five years between 2004/5 and 2008/9, and another 422 injuries requiring workers to take at least three days off to recover.

More information on construction safety is available at www.hse.gov.uk/construction.

Notes to editors

1. The following table lists the number of serious injuries in each local authority area in Cumbria during the five years between 2004/5 and 2008/9. Three day injuries refer to injuries which required workers to take at least three days off work.
   
   

   Local authority area	Major injuries	3-day injuries
   Allerdale	41	79
   Barrow-in-Furness	33	53
   Carlisle	54	116
   Copeland	31	52
   Eden	24	52
   South Lakeland	48	70
   Cumbria	231	422

2. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

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