31 August 2004 - Working Well Together Health and Safety Roadshow Launched in Glasgow
George Brumwell, Health and Safety Commissioner and General Secretary of UCATT, have launched the 2004 Working Well Together (WWT) Health and Safety Roadshow at Glasgow Harbour, an area undergoing major redevelopment in Scotland.
The WWT Roadshow will be passing health and safety advice to construction workers and employers around Great Britain for the next eight weeks. The aim of the display is to promote best practice and encourage everyone in the industry - workers, supervisors, managers and directors - to take action to improve health and safety performance.
The WWT Roadshow tour dates are:
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30 Aug - 3 September: Scotland
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6 - 10 September: North East, North West & Yorks
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20 - 24 September: Midlands
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27 Sept - 1 October: Wales and South West
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11 - 15 October: South East
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18 - 22 October: London
Sponsorship has been given by HSS Hire, with additional sponsorship from Bovis Lend Lease, CITB Construction Skills, Skanska and Taylor Woodrow, the Roadshow is also supported by Constructing Excellence, Trades Union Congress, Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The Roadshow will be focusing on some of the following key ways to reduce on-site risks:
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Tidy sites and decent welfare
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Safe working at height
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Reducing the risks of workplace transport accidents
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Safety in manual handling
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Health - protecting hearing, avoiding skin problems such as dermatitis, cement burns and skin cancer
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Avoiding exposure to asbestos.
This year brings the 6th annual WWT Roadshow which has reached over 25,000 workers with its health and safety messages. Workers can walk through an informative display on the 'High 5' ways to reduce risks at each site, receive an 'Absolutely Essential Survival Kit' and enter the WWT Roadshow competition by completing a health and safety quiz.
George Brumwell commented at the launch:
"During
one week in August the industry tragically lost five construction workers:
two of these deaths occurred in Scotland.
"Each workplace death is one too many, especially as incidents are often
caused by foreseeable risks. There is no room for complacency.
"The Roadshow aims to prevent injuries and ill health by delivering vital
information and advice to construction workers. The support for the Working
Well Together Roadshow, is a positive sign that the industry is working
together to further improve its health and safety record."
Last year 70 construction workers died - 4 of the deaths occurred in Scotland. Since the beginning of April this year, 27 construction deaths have been reported to the HSE - 6 of which occurred in Scotland.
Martin Thurgood HSE's Principal Inspector commented:
"At today's event HSE is also launching "Building in Safety", the 2004 European Week of Safety and Health initiative. "Building in Safety" is a European wide campaign. In acknowledging the construction industry as one of the most hazardous across Europe the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work is working with stakeholders to build a safer, healthier and more productive working environment for the millions of European construction workers."
Pam Waldron, HSE Head of Field Operations responsible for construction in Scotland also commented:
"Whilst
last year we saw a very welcome reduction in the number of construction
related fatalities in Scotland, sadly we have already exceeded this figure
since April 2004. In response HSE has commissioned research to identify the
factors leading to higher rates of construction fatalities and major
incidents in Scotland.
"What we do know is that sites like these at Glasgow Harbour, where health
and safety is proactively managed and both sub-contractors and employees are
informed and involved, create a safer and healthier environment."
Building in Safety - European week of safety and health will take place 18 - 22 October 2004. More information can be found by clicking this link: BUILDING IN SAFETY - European Week for Safety and Health at Work
More information on the WWT campaign can be found by visiting their web site: WWT Official Website
