GOVERNMENT BOOST MAKES CONSTRUCTION A SAFE BET
Construction firms across the North East, North West and Yorkshire are set to receive �80,000 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, financed by the Department for Work and Pensions and managed by the Health and Safety Commission, aims to improve occupational health and safety standards through increased worker participation and consultation.
This is the first time the partnership has been awarded funding specifically for construction in these regions and it builds on a successful formula which saw it bring an improvement in health and safety for SMEs in the Midlands over the past two years.
Over 70 SMEs are set to benefit from the 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.
Julia Evans, chief executive of the National Federation of Builders, said: "Health and safety is one of the most important issues to face the construction sector and government and industry are working together to reduce the numbers of workplace accidents.
"Receiving this funding is good news for construction across these regions. Although the amount of accidents reported in the region is decreasing year on year, the number of construction workers being put in avoidable danger remains unacceptably high.
"The work we have done in the Midlands has shown that workers who are aware of and involved in health and safety matters are 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."
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, minister responsible for health and safety, announced the award winners at an event in London. He 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 and the NFB used their funding to excellent effect across the Midlands during the first two years of the scheme and this year they presented convincing, well thought out plans for building partnerships and driving improvements in occupational health and safety."
Thirteen other projects around the country also secured funding to improve occupational health and safety standards in industries ranging from construction and hospitality to retail and printing.
Companies interested in finding further details on the National Federation of Builders should call 0870 8989 091.
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March 2005Issued on behalf of the National Federation of Builders by Citypress PR.
For more information, please contact Paul Cook. Tel: 0161 606 0260. Email: paul.cook@citypress.co.uk