RoSPA conference to help tackle construction complacency

Bookings are now being taken for the 2014 RoSPA Construction Health and Safety Conference in the second city at the start of spring.

On the agenda will be a discussion into how falling accident rates on construction sites risk complacency. It will look at ways this laid back attitude can be tackled by the board, management and every worker on site.

The conference will also discuss how, whilst major injuries at work have fallen by 11% over recent years, construction workers are still more than three times as likely to die on the job.

Last year, 39 construction site workers died at work – a statistic that RoSPA says is unacceptable and shows:

“that some organisations are still getting it very wrong when it comes to managing occupational safety and health.”

This is something backed up by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) data. In a 2013 initiative, 20% of all construction sites visited by HSE inspectors were handed enforcement action notices.

Many of these notices included stop orders, resulting in the immediate and costly cessation of operations.

The reasons for the enforcement being taken were varied, including the unsafe storage of flammable materials and incorrect workwear being used.

No matter when or what contraventions are found though, the HSE will always take action to make the industry safer. However, the data does show that the vast majority of sites are complying with regulations.

The Construction Health and Safety Conference takes place on 27th March at Maple House in Birmingham.