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A major new advertising campaign to promote construction health and safety will be launched this Thursday (28 February) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Targeted at reducing deaths, injuries and ill health among smaller construction firms and the self-employed, the campaign is led by national and regional press advertising, supported by messages on diesel nozzles at filling stations.
Launching the campaign, HSE''s Chief Inspector of Construction, Kevin Myers, said: "Last year 106 workers died as a result of accidents during construction work. Falls accounted for 45% of these deaths and almost 60% of fatal accidents to the self-employed. People in the industry have to wake up to the realities and the consequences of taking unnecessary risks to save a few seconds or pounds.
"The campaign features a striking aerial shot showing the route a worker has taken from his workplace to the ground and then into the back of an ambulance; and the telling strap line, ''Which white van will you leave work in today?'' drives home the message.
"We are also promoting HSE''s successful free pocket size guidance booklet, ''The Absolutely Essential Health and Safety Toolkit for the Smaller Construction Contractor''. The toolkit challenges people to do better in controlling the risks they commonly encounter when managing their businesses and in their day-to-day work on site."
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The booklet can easily be taken out on site, and has a crisp design featuring cartoon illustrations and water-resistant pages to help it survive.
Around 30,000 copies have already been distributed. HSE hopes the campaign will encourage more people in the construction industry to get in touch for a free copy. Anyone who would like one can order it by telephoning 08457 181819.
Notes to editors
1. HSE''s new campaign is launched in national and regional press on Thursday 28 February. It features a reconstruction of a typical accident where a worker has fallen during construction work, either new-build or maintenance. 2. ''The Absolutely Essential Health and Safety Toolkit for the Smaller Construction Contractor'' is aimed at smaller firms who typically work on household and commercial new-build, repairs and refurbishments. An illustration from the booklet and a copy of the advert are available in electronic (jpeg) format from Nigel Richardson at COI Communications East Midlands on 0115 9712797. Photographic prints are available on request from Mary Maden at COI Communications, Manchester (tel: 0161 952 4508). 3. The drive for improved safety in the construction industry is supported by the Working Well Together (WWT) campaign - members come from all areas of the industry including employers and trade unions. The campaign is led by the Health and Safety Commission''s Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC). It challenges stakeholders in the industry to commit themselves to raising health and safety standards by continuous improvement through co-operation, communication and competence. See http://wwt.uk.com for further details. 4. For more information about the advertising campaign contact Graeme Cooper at HSE publicity on 0151 951 3189.
The Absolutely Essential Health and Safety Toolkit for the Smaller Construction Contractor, (IND G 344), is also available from HSE Books. Single copies are free while a pack of five, ISBN: 0 7176 2103 0, costs £5. Discounts are available for larger multiple pack purchases.
