Cutting deaths in construction - free Shetland event aims to reduce risks

Date:

8 October 2010

Release No:

SCO/189/10

A practical event for builders, construction workers and contractors will take place in Shetland later this month in a bid to reduce accidents and ill-health in Scotland's construction industry.

The Working Well Together campaign has organised a free safety and health awareness event at Clickimin leisure complex, Lochside, Lerwick on Tuesday 26 October, between 8.30am and 12.00pm. The event is being supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Construction Skills, Shetland Construction Training Group, Shetland Building and Allied Trades Association, and the Federation of Master Builders.

The event has been tailored specifically to the needs of the construction industry in Shetland and aims to raise awareness of key health and safety issues facing the construction industry and provide practical advice on how to avoid risks on construction sites. Supervisors and workers from small to medium-sized building, construction or contracting companies are encouraged to attend.

The day will include presentations and demonstrations covering key areas including: working at height, manual handling, and silica issues involved with kerb stone cutting. There will also be sessions on the duty to manage asbestos and employee welfare.

HSE's Principal Construction Inspector for Shetland, John Blackburn, said:

"The toll of injury in the construction industry in Scotland is a real matter for concern and we're keen to work with those in the industry to tackle this issue.

"Events like these are designed to provide workers, supervisors and company owners with the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves, and I'd encourage people to book early to secure a place on this essential event."

Notes to editors

1. 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
2. In 2008/09, there were 26 fatal injuries to workers in Scotland, 2,666 reported major injuries to employees and 8 841 over 3 day injuries to employees.
3. In Scotland, the Working Well Together campaign operates under Site Safe Scotland, which was set up in the 1980s to achieve improved standards of health and safety within the Scottish construction industry, particularly among small and medium sized businesses. It includes representatives from major and specialist contractors, small builders, professional bodies, trade associations, training organisations, construction clients, trade unions, Local Authorities and HSE. More information is available at www.wwt.uk.com

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News and PR (Scotland)