Construction SMEs can reduce workplace accidents by thinking safety everyday

8th August 2016

Construction Safety Week launched by Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD in conjunction with the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee (CSPAC). 

The Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee launched Construction Safety Week today. The week will commence on September 12^th and will see a series of week-long initiatives run across construction sites and offices nationally.   The aim is to help construction companies establish a safety mindset amongst their employees. This will ultimately reduce workplace accidents and maximise the safety and well-being of their employees. 

Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen TD said, “A lot of effort and investment has been put into improving the management and awareness of risks so as to reduce accidents and fatalities at work. The construction industry is leading the way on this, working with the Health and Safety Authority and industry partners, to ensure that the industry protects its workforce. 

Every growing economy requires a vibrant construction sector, so we must ensure that we don’t sacrifice the advances and developments already made in building safer workplaces. The increase in construction activity means new workers will enter the industry. Research shows these can be the most vulnerable workers in any industry. Events like safety week remind everyone involved to think ‘safety’, as this is proven to have a significant impact in reducing accidents. Construction Safety Week will highlight the steps that companies can take to improve their safety culture and to keep it under continuing review.” 

John Graby, Chairman of the CSPAC said, “The performance of the sector has been improving through the years. Construction companies have put a significant focus on reducing workplace accidents by instilling safety cultures in their organisations. However, the number of accidents remains stubbornly high in the micro-enterprises (1 or 2 person businesses) in the construction industry. Roughly half of all construction fatalities in 2015 occurred in these micro and small businesses. The message to those owner-managers in construction particularly is to use the tools out there such as BESMART.ie, training programmes and the HSA to instil a safety culture in your organisation. Work safer – work smarter.”

The CSPAC involves representative bodies for construction related sectors, trade-unions, professional bodies, client bodies and relevant Government agencies. Each group will be delivering a suite of initiatives across their membership to drive home and support the safety message.   Some of the activities include:           

• On site safety briefings
• A social media campaign focussed on survivors of workplace accidents
• Presentation of Safety Excellence Awards to companies excelling in safety

Frank Kelly, Director of Walls Construction and Chairman of the CIF Safety Committee, said

 “This year’s ambitious programme for Construction Safety Week shows how important safety is for those organisations involved in the construction industry. I would encourage any construction companies out there to get involved in any of the campaigns. We want to hear your safety stories and see how you have instilled a safety culture in your organisation. For those companies who feel they need support, this campaign will highlight how much help there is out there on offer in terms of training and advise provided by the partners of the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee.” 

Ends 

For further information contact Mark Ryan, Press Officer, Health and Safety Authority on (086) 8036141 or mark_ryan@hsa.ie 

Editors Notes 

Fatal Workplace Injuries by Economic Sector 2008-2016 (NACE Revision 2)

Back to Department News