Mar 13 2007
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is hosting a workshop at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern, Worcestershire on Wednesday 14 March in a bid to reduce the high rates of fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry.
In 2005/2006 there were 59 fatal injuries and 4419 major injuries to workers in construction. With this in mind HSE as part of the Working Well Together programme has organised a free full day event as the latest in a nationwide series of Construction Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) to advise those in the business on good practice and safety procedures when on site.
The Malvern SHAD is aimed at small contractors who employ fewer than 15 people, sole traders and the self-employed, who together make up 83% of the industry, giving them the opportunity to find out about the latest developments in improving health and safety.
Martin Overstall, Principal Construction Inspector for Worcestershire, said:
"Small companies can sometimes miss out on health and safety information and developments in best practice. Small contractors can underestimate the impact poor health and safety performance can have on their own lives and those who work with them and the financial impact on their business if things go wrong. They can find training expensive and difficult to arrange. If you run a small building, construction or contracting company, or if you are self employed, this free event is a must."
Areas of greatest risk on construction sites will be highlighted in a practical way including demonstrations and the latest information on a variety of topics focusing on some of the 'high 5' risks on site:
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Workplace Transport - Traffic management
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Vehicle Maintenance
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Safety features on workplace transport
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Falls from height - falls from vehicles
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Alternative access equipment
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Work equipment - Materials handling
The event will spread construction safety messages 'for the industry, from the industry' as WWT events involve partnership and support between HSE and large contracting companies namely Carillion, David Wilson Homes, Halcrow, Laser, Thomas Vale Construction and Weaver PLC, as well as CITB, and the FMB.