Construction workers across the Highlands are being urged to pick up lifesaving advice at a free event on Tuesday 24 May at Tulloch Caledonian Stadium, Inverness.

The event will offer practical information to small and medium sized businesses on how to deal with some of the risks associated with groundworks. There will be presentations on quick hitches, unloading and loading lorries, working with buried services, safe trench work and groundworks as confined spaces.

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that during 2009/10, three construction workers died at work in Scotland and 1,124 were injured.

This half-day event is targeted at small to medium sized companies because three quarters of all accidents on building sites occur among companies employing fewer than 15 people.

The event has been organised as part of the Working Well Together partnership between HSE and the construction industry.

HSE Inspector Peter Black says: “Accidents at the groundworks phase, in particular trench collapses, are often serious and can be fatal, so it is vital that managers and company owners understand how to reduce risks on their sites.

“This free event will provide essential information and advice that could help save lives, so I urge local construction businesses to attend.”

Around 125 people are expected. Places are still available and can be booked with Jody Freer, Tel: 0300 456 5360 / jody.freer@cskills.org.