CIF calls on SMEs to think safety to reduce workplace accidents

August 15, 20163033 Views

The Construction Industry Federation has launched its annual construction safety week campaign today and called on all construction companies to set aside time this week to reemphasise the importance of safety to their employees with a view to further reducing workplace accidents.

The week will commence on September 12^th 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 amongst their employees. This will ultimately reduce workplace accidents and maximise the safety and well-being 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 reemphasis 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.

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Frank Kelly, Director of Walls Construction and Chairman of the CIF Safety Committee, said, “This year’s ambitious programme for Construction Safety Week shows how important safety is for those organisations involved in the construction industry. I would encourage any construction companies out there to get involved in any of the campaigns. We want to hear your safety stories and see how you have instilled a safety culture in your organisation. For those companies who feel they need support, this campaign will highlight how much help there is out there on offer in terms of training and advise provided by the partners of the Construction Safety Partnership.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.

The Construction Safety Partnership Advisory Committee involves representative bodies for construction related sectors, trade-unions, professional bodies, client bodies and relevant Government agencies. Each group will be delivering a suite of initiatives across their membership to drive home and support the safety message. Some of the activities include: