Construction Safety Week to Focus on Vehicle Safety

Monday 14 June

Monday 14 June 2010 marks the start of the Health and Safety Authority’s Construction Safety Week.  The HSA will carry out an intensive series of inspections on construction sites with a particular focus on helping construction firms understand the dangers around site vehicles.

Martin O’Dea, Head of Construction Policy with the Health and Safety Authority, said, “The construction sector has seen very significant improvements in safety, health and welfare standards in recent years.  Although the sector has been experiencing a particularly difficult time and has seen substantial job losses, it is still a big employer and is still a dangerous environment in which to work”.

The primary focus of the inspections will be around vehicle safety.  Machinery and workplace vehicles are key accident triggers and improper use of them has led directly to very serious accidents and worker deaths.  However, with effective health and safety procedures in place, the potential for an accident involving site vehicles can be minimised.

“We understand that the industry is experiencing extremely difficult trading conditions.  However, the last thing a construction firm needs in this environment is a serious workplace accident.  Our inspectors will continue to take a proactive approach to help ensure that safety standards on construction sites remain high”, said O’Dea.

There have been two worker deaths on construction sites so far in 2010 and ten in total in 2009.