Health, Safety, Ethical & Environmental day at Bridge of Don – 16 May

Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive and leading members of the construction industry will offer practical tips and guidance on how to prevent incidents while carrying out key activities on site.

The event, on Wednesday, 16 May at Gordon Barracks, Bridge of Don, is being run in conjunction with the Construction Safety Forum – a local self help forum which meets monthly to allow members to share experiences and receive simple, practical advice and documentation designed for small and medium-sized construction companies in the North East.

The construction industry remains one of the most dangerous sectors to work in, with 960 injuries to workers in Scotland in 2010/11 – including one fatality.

The aim of the event is not only to raise awareness of the key health and safety issues facing the construction industry but to also give apprentices practical advice on how to avoid risks on all sites.

Workshops will cover high risk construction activities including working at height and manual handling, as well as information on the risks from asbestos and other dusts, and the steps that can be taken to prevent exposure.

HSE Inspector Liz Standen, said: “It is essential that new recruits to this historically hazardous industry are made aware of current health and safety benchmarks and are empowered to challenge unsafe behaviours in their own workplace. It aims to make apprentices understand their role in improving health and safety standards and preventing accidents and ill health in a practical hands-on way.”

To encourage participation a competition is being run to find the best idea to improve health and safety on a construction site. The winner will receive a £100 Gadget Shop voucher, which will be presented by winter Olympic athlete Andrew Young from Huntly. He represented Great Britain at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games and is a member of the GB Cross Country Ski Team.

Liz added: “We hope that the young workers will relate to Andrew, someone their own age who can inspire them to take responsibility for their actions. This is a key message throughout the safety event, and athletes have to be very self-motivated.”

Places are still available to attend this event, although bookings are made on a first come first served basis. For more information and to reserve a place call 07767 844 196.