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Construction safety event

A Health and Safety Executive product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Mar 2, 2006

Small construction companies in Worcestershire are being targeted to attend a free safety event in Malvern

Small construction companies in Worcestershire are being targeted to attend a free safety event in Malvern on Wednesday 29 March 2006.

The Three Counties Showground will be the venue for a one day event aimed at raising awareness of key health and safety issues facing small firms in the construction industry, as well as giving practical advice on how to avoid risks on construction sites.

This is the first event of its kind to be held in Worcestershire as well as the biggest construction safety event in the country.

Joy Jones, Principal Construction Inspector for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said: "Small companies can sometimes miss out on health and safety information and developments in best practice".

"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, and would like up to date advice to help you get to grips with health and safety, this free event is a must".

""It is aimed at those small contractors who underestimate the impact poor health and safety performance can have on their own lives and those who work with them; the financial impact on their business if things go wrong; and who have yet to realise that health and safety can actually make good business sense.

It is an event for the industry, from the industry".

""Seventy five percent of all people killed or hurt on building sites across the country work for small companies employing fewer than 15 people".

"It is only by working together that we will see the recent improvements in the construction industry fatality statistics be converted into a real trend for improvement".

"A sustained effort from industry is required to secure year-on-year improvements".

During the day, 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 including:.

* Work at height, roofwork - fragile surfaces, towers and ladders.

* Mechanical and manual handling, power tools.

* Asbestos and other health issues on site.

* Services on site.

* Welfare, risk assessment, worker engagement.