Lancashire safety event follows construction deaths

Date:

1 November 2012

A free construction safety event will be held in Charnock Richard on Wednesday 14 November after figures revealed that, on average, someone is killed or suffers a major injury on building sites in Lancashire every four days.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show there were eight deaths and 415 major injuries reported in Lancashire in the five years between 2006/7 and 2010/11.

Up to 250 construction workers, who are either self-employed or own small firms, are now being invited to attend a one-off safety event at the Park Hall Hotel and Leisure Club in Charnock Richard later this month.

They will be able to take part in either a morning or afternoon session, which will cover asbestos, working at height, respiratory risks and temporary work.

The event has been organised by the Working Well Together initiative - a partnership between HSE and the construction industry - which aims to improve health and safety in the sector.

Specialists from the industry and HSE will be on hand to answer any questions, raise awareness of the key issues, and give practical advice on how to avoid the dangers.

Dorothy Shaw, HSE Principal Inspector for Construction in Lancashire, said:

"I hope people working in the construction industry in Lancashire will be willing to give up half a day to come along to the event. It could end up saving someone's life.

"It's an alarming statistic that there are almost two incidents of death or major injury reported on Lancashire's construction sites every week.

"There are many simple and straightforward precautions firms could be taking to reduce the risks from asbestos, falls, dust and other potential dangers on building sites."

For more information or to book a free place at the event, visit wwt.uk.com or call 0151 951 4012.

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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