Construction injuries targeted at Carlisle safety event

Date:

10 November 2010

Release No:

HSE/NW/19Carlisle

Cumbria's construction bosses are being encouraged to attend a free safety event in Carlisle this week where they can get practical advice to help keep workers safe.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show construction workers in the county have suffered 653 serious injuries while at work in the past five years.

The event at Durranhill Industrial Estate on Brunel Way will take place on Friday 12 November. It 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.

Self-employed workers and the owners of small building, construction or contracting companies are being invited to drop in to the event. As well as practical demonstrations and presentations, visitors can pick up one-to-one advice throughout the day.

The event will focus on working at height, manual handling, transport, asbestos, groundwork, dust suppression, confined spaces, personal protective equipment, tidy sites and decent welfare.

Mark Cottriall, HSE's Principal Inspector for construction in Cumbria, said:

"Construction is one of Britain's most dangerous industries so we want to do all we can to offer support and advice to construction company bosses and self-employed workers in Cumbria.

"There are many risks to workers on construction sites, from falling off roofs to the inhalation of harmful substances such as asbestos or silica dust, causing life threatening health problems. We run these events so that employers can get advice on how they can manage those risks.

"People can call in to the event in Carlisle at any time during the day. By giving up a couple of hours, they could end up saving a worker's life.

The free safety event is taking place at Zeras Industries on Durranhill Industrial Estate between 8am and 2pm on Friday 12 November. More details are available at www.wwt.uk.com.

Notes to editors

1. The following table lists the number of serious injuries to construction workers in Cumbria during the five years between 2004/5 and 2008/9. Three-day injuries refer to injuries where workers had to take at least three days off to recover.
   
   

   Local authority area	Major injuries	3-day injuries
   Allerdale Borough Council	41	79
   Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council	33	53
   Carlisle District Council	54	116
   Copeland Borough Council	31	52
   Eden District Council	24	52
   South Lakeland District Council	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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