Last year, the Working Well Together (WWT) Campaign celebrated its 10th anniversary and most successful campaign year so far!

WWT normally runs between 25 and 30 events across the country each year which attract around 4,000 delegates. In the first six months of last year, (April to September), WWT has held 34 events with over 5,200 delegates attending. Given the fact that the construction industry is currently going through a recession with contracts, large and small being cancelled or mothballed, this has been a fantastic achievement.

In my first Master Builder article, I wrote about the WWT Regional Groups. We currently have 15 WWT Regional groups across the country and by the time you read this article, we should have two new ones, one in the North East of England and one covering North and West Yorkshire. Details of these new groups and the existing groups can be found on our website, www.wwt.uk.com.

Membership of the groups consists of construction companies, local authorities, training providers, trade associations like the FMB, ConstructionSkills and anyone else with an interest in improving the accident and fatality rate in the construction Industry.

Some groups need members from smaller companies like yours. As a member of the FMB you know exactly what small businesses need in the way of information and advice on how to work safely, and to make sure both you and your workers go home safely every night. If you’d like to find out more about being part of a Regional Group, please email me at tim.shambrook@hse.gsi.gov.uk or from the WWT website www.wwt.uk.com.

To 2010 And Beyond

In 2010, we will continue the great work WWT has achieved so far to make sure future generations choose construction as a career, knowing that it’s a great, world class industry, but more importantly it’s going to be a safe industry to work in.

WWT will continue to provide free information and advice to the smaller contractor. We’ll do this through the:

• Safety & Health Awareness Days
• Information stands at trade counters around the country
• Working closely with Building Control Officers who’ll help promote future events
• Taking key health and safety messages direct to workers at their sites through our White Van Roadshows
• Regularly updating our website and of course by continuing to work closely with the industry.
   

Remember, WWT is an industry led initiative and it’s by working in partnership with the whole industry that we’ve managed to so successful. But we can’t stand still. There are still far too many deaths in the industry and one death is too many.

We still have a long way to go to achieve a zero fatality industry as the norm, but, perhaps, one day...

Do have a safe and prosperous New Year.

Spring 2010 WWT Events

• 10th February - Designer Awareness Day - Ipswich
• 18th February - Occupational Health SHAD - Hull
• 24th February - Designer Awareness Day - Petborough
• 24th February - College SHAD - Ammanford, S Wales
• 25th February - College SHAD - Cardiff
• TBC - Refurbishment SHAD - Pontypridd
  
• 9th March - Worker at Height/Roofers SHAD - Gloucester
• 10th March - Workers at Height/Roofers SHAD - Swindon
• 10th March - Designer Awareness Day - Dereham
• 17th March - Groundworks SHAD - Glasgow
• 18th March - Safe Scaffolding SHAD - Swindon
• 30th March - Workers at Height/Roofers SHAD - Fife
• 31st March - NE Expo event - Durham
• TBC - Mock Trisl - Cardiff

For more information on WWT, regional groups or to register your attendance at one the events, please visit www.wwt.uk.com