The Construction Industry Federation has launched its annual construction safety week campaign this week and called on all construction companies to set aside time to reemphasise the importance of safety to their employees with a view to further reducing workplace accidents.
The week will commence on September 12 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 among their employees. This will ultimately reduce workplace accidents and maximise the safety and wellbeing of their employees.
Director general of CIF, Tom Parlon, said: “We’re asking all construction companies and self-employed involved in the sector to take time this week to reemphasise safety on site. The industry has been very successful in reducing workplace accidents and safety and health is now the cornerstone of the reputation of the construction industry.
"We want construction companies to run briefings, meetings, put up posters, reward schemes and delivering training to get their employees to think safety this week and every week. Events like safety week are absolutely critical in reminding employees to think ‘safety’ as this is proven to have a significant impact in reducing accidents.
"Serious incidents are down dramatically over the last number of years, however accidents are now concentrated in the micro-enterprise sector. The CIF will continue to work with the HSA and other members of the Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee to promote safety to this group and our membership.
"The message to those owner-managers in construction particularly is to use the tools out there such as BESMART, training programmes, and the HSA to instil a safety culture in your organisation. Work safer – work smarter."
