Events help North East construction companies cut deaths and injury

Date:

17 March 2011

Release No:

NE/043/11

Construction workers involved in projects across the North East are being urged to pick up essential advice at a series of free events in the region.

During 2009/10, there were 440 injuries as a result of construction activities in the North East, including one fatal injury during the same year. Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of fatalities and injuries in this sector, with more than five incidents recorded every day in Great Britain. Groundworkers have contributed to this statistic - on average, one person dies every year, in Britain as a result of collapsed excavations and there have been a number of fatal accidents involving quick hitches.

As part of the Working Well Together campaign, a partnership between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the construction industry, three special "Safety Health Awareness Day" (SHAD) events are to be held in the coming months focussing on key aspects of construction work.

High 5 SHAD - Wednesday 30 March 2011 - Durham County Cricket Club, Chester-le-Street
Specifically aimed at small firms, contracting companies and sole traders. The event will look at ways to reduce risks on site, including: the basics - tidy sites, welfare and workplace transport, scaffold inspections to avoid falls from height, safe use of ladders and tower scaffolds, manual handling and silica awareness.

Scaffolding SHAD - Tuesday 12 April 2011 - old Ever Ready site, Tanfield Lea, Durham
This event is aimed at scaffolding contractors and industry experts will be on hand to talk about good practice and preventing falls. Information will also be available on the correct selection, use and testing of scaffold anchor ties and there will also be practical demonstrations.

Groundworks SHAD - Wednesday 11 May 2011 - Marsden Quarry, Whitburn
This event will be useful for any companies involved in groundworks and will cover a range of topics including loading/unloading and preventing falls from vehicles, safe use of quick hitches, working with buried services, safe trenchwork and working in confined spaces.

HSE Principal Inspector for Construction Rob Hirst said:

"It is through events like these that HSE is working with the industry to help rid construction of its reputation as being one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

"Earlier this month we inspected dozens of construction sites in Newcastle and Teesside as part of a special initiative aimed at reducing death and injury and it was disappointing to find that the unnecessary risks were being taken with workers' lives.

"Although there were examples of good practice, there were still too many occasions when we found unsafe conditions and we hope those involved in the industry will take the time to attend one of these events to help tackle this very important issue."

All the events are half days and delegates can choose to attend either the morning (8.30am start) or afternoon (1.00pm start) session. Each event includes talks and practical demonstrations. Refreshments are also provided.

Further information is available on the Working Well Together North East regional webpages - http://wwt.uk.com/.

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

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Issued on behalf of the HSE by COI News and PR North East