Safety tour targets North West construction workers

Date:

12 May 2011

Release No:

HSE/NW/03Roadshow

Health and safety experts are setting off on a two-week tour of colleges and construction sites in the North West on Monday 16 May.

This year's White Van Roadshow is focusing on preventing workplace falls after six workers were killed and there were more than 500 major injuries in the region in 2009/10.

The white van roadshow on tour

Specialists from the construction industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will visit seven building sites and two colleges in the North West. They are spending a day at each location to meet as many construction workers, apprentices and students as possible.

As well as warning of the dangers of working at height, other topics will include power tool vibration injuries, asbestos and other dust-related diseases.

HSE staff have teamed up with representatives from leading companies in the construction industry to offer the latest health and safety advice. Those attending the events will also get the chance to take part in practical demonstrations on safety equipment.

Polly Tomlinson, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction, said:

"We hope this tour of colleges and construction sites in the North West will help to prevent some of the hundreds of deaths and serious injuries we deal with every year.

"The latest figures show that 545 workers in the North West suffered major injuries as a result of falls last year. We'll also be highlighting the dangers of prolonged use of power tools, and dusts including asbestos.

"All of the advice is being provided for free so I'd encourage people to give up less than an hour of their time to come along. They could end up saving someone's life."

The White Van Roadshow will visit Bolton on 16 May, Stockport on 17 May, West Gorton in Manchester on 18 May, Liverpool on 19 May, Blackburn on 20 May, Bolton on 23 May, Wigan on 24 May, Warrington on 25 and 26 May, and Manchester city centre on 27 May.

The roadshow 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. More information on the tour is available at www.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
2. The White Van Roadshow is visiting the following locations:
   Monday 16 May - Essa Academy, Lever Edge Lane, Bolton, BL3 3HH
   Tuesday 17 May - Stockport College, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3UQ
   Wednesday 18 May - Deepdene Street, West Gorton, Manchester, M12 5DH
   Thursday 19 May - Central Library, William Brown Street, Liverpool, L3 8EN
   Friday 20 May - Blackburn Beacon Centre, St Pauls Street, Blackburn, BB2 1LN
   Monday 23 May - St Catherines & Firwood Academy, Stitch Mi Lane, Bolton, BL2 4HU
   Tuesday 24 May - Wigan and Leigh College, Walkden Avenue, Wigan, WN1 2JH
   Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May - Fiddler's Ferry Power Station, Widnes Road, Cuerdley, WA5 2UT
   Friday 27 May - Co-op Headquarters, Milner Street, Manchester, M4 4DT
3. The following table lists the number of deaths and major injuries caused by falls in the North West during 2009/10.

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR North West