Crewe construction safety event aims to save lives

Date:

7 March 2011

Release No:

HSE/NW/14ConstructionCrewe

Builders in Crewe are being encouraged to attend a free safety event after two construction workers were killed in Cheshire last year.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that there were 150 injuries in the county's construction sector during 2009/10. Company owners and their employees are now being encouraged to attend a free health and safety awareness event at Crewe Territorial Army Centre on Wednesday 16 March.

The aim of the event is to improve standards in an industry where there are many potential risks - from falling from height to life-threatening health problems caused through inhaling asbestos or silica dust.

It is taking place at the end of a month-long inspection initiative targeting unsafe construction sites across the North West. During 2009/10, eight workers died while working in construction in the region and there were more than 1,000 injuries.

Inspectors are making unannounced visits to ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and that they are in good order, as well as checking that the risk of exposure to asbestos is being properly managed.

Joseph Wood, Health and Safety Awareness Officer at HSE, said:

"These latest figures show that construction is still one of Britain's most dangerous industries, with two deaths and 150 serious injuries in Cheshire alone last year.

"We're here to offer support and advice to construction companies and their employees, and are encouraging builders to come along to this free event.

"We're offering tips on improving health and safety on construction sites but we will continue to take action in cases where there is a high risk of injury or ill health."

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

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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