'More needs to be done on construction safety'
2008-04-18
The construction industry needs to do more to improve its safety record, according to one expert.Writing in the Journal, John Nielsen of CK21 Consultants and the Association of Project Safety said that the recent introduction of corporate manslaughter legislation means that the sector needs to make safety a top priority.
He suggested that firms concentrate on the dangers of working at height by making use of mobile elevating work platforms, as well as tower scaffolds that have been adequately erected.
"Slips and trips, along with falls from height, are the biggest cause of major injuries. Good order on site makes good common sense and is good business practice," Mr Nielsen stated.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, early unvalidated figures suggest that about 69 workers were killed on building sites in 2007-08, down ten per cent on the previous year.
