Government Boost makes Midlands Construction a Safe Bet
Construction firms across the Midlands are set to receive almost �75,000 worth of Government funding to boost health and safety standards in the region.
The Union of Construction Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) in partnership with the National Federation of Builders (NFB) and the Construction Confederation secured the backing from the Workers� Safety Adviser (WSA) Challenge fund.
The fund, managed by the Health and Safety Commission, aims to improve occupational health and safety standards through increased worker participation and consultation.
Over 40 SMEs in the Midlands are set to benefit from the �74,920 of funding, which will be used to provide free advice to NFB members, reviews of employers� existing policies and �tool box� talks � workshops designed to engage whole companies from the site operatives to the directors.
The fund, which also supported UCATT last year, was established in 2004. Financed by the Department for Work and Pensions, the scheme will deliver �3 million to SMEs across the country over a three-year period.
Andrew Percy, regional director for the National Federation of Builders, said: "The Government�s Construction Safety Summit has brought the issue of health and safety to the fore with their declaration of zero tolerance on workplace accidents.
"Although the amount of accidents reported in the Midlands is decreasing year on year, the number of construction workers being put in avoidable danger remains unacceptably high.
"Workers who are aware and involved in health and safety matters have been shown to be safer and healthier that than those who are not. This funding will help us to ensure that the entire construction workforce are actively involved in making the industry safer."
Bill Callaghan, chair of the Health and Safety Commission, which manages the WSA Challenge Fund, said: "Great Britain loses over 39 million workdays through work related accidents and ill health each year.
"This not only represents a considerable financial loss to business and society but can also have serious financial, physical and emotional implications for the individuals and their families.
"UCATT used their funding to excellent effect during the first year of the scheme and this year they presented convincing, well thought out plans for building partnerships and driving improvements in occupational health and safety."
In 2003/4 more than 600* construction workers in the region suffered fatal or major injuries as a direct result of their work.
Eleven other organisations around the country also secured funding to improve occupational health and safety standards in industries ranging from construction and hospitality to retail and printing.
Ends 16 March 2005
Issued on behalf of the National Federation of Builders by Citypress PR.
For more information, please contact Paul Cook or Marianne Olsson. Tel: 0161 606 0260. Email: Marianne@citypress.co.uk
* According to statistics from the Health and Safety Executive