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The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) is to embark on a nine-month programme to reduce the level of accidents and injuries on construction sites in the South West. The construction industry is one of the most dangerous in Britain. In one year alone (April 2001/ March 2002) 79 people were killed on building sites throughout the UK and nearly 4500 were badly hurt.
The Worker Safety Advisor (WSA) programme, which started on the 1 July 2004, will be run in partnership with trade unions, TGWU and UCATT. WSA will target smaller building firms in the Bristol and Plymouth areas to help them make lasting improvements to health and safety on their building sites.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative, FMB regional director, Jeremy Chapman said:
"The majority of building firms are too small to employ a full time Health and Safety officer to keep up-to-date with the current Health & Safety legislation and working practice. The South West has the highest proportion of small builders in the country and we are hopeful that many of them will take advantage of WSA scheme."
Laura Day's Bristol-based firm, Longcroft Building Services, which employs 23 tradesmen, is set to be one of the first to sign up to the WSA scheme. Said Laura:
"We want to comply with the regulations and have an agreement with a local training company to train our employees. Where we struggle, is finding out the latest rules and regulations to comply with, as we are not automatically informed. Having an expert in to explain what we should be doing will be a great help to our business."
Bob Blackman, TGWU national secretary for construction is backing the scheme.
"WSA is an important initiative to reduce the unacceptable toll of accidents in the construction industry. I look forward to developing the strong partnership that already exists between my union and the FMB."
The WSA initiative was strongly endorsed by Jeff Hopewell of UCATT.
"The development of improved workplace consultation practices is a key element in improving health and safety performance. I hope that as many firms as possible will be able to participate."
First posted: 22 July 2004. Last modified: 22 July 2004.
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