23/04/2003

Minister launches construction H&S initiative

NIO Enterprise Minister Ian Pearson has launched a new initiative aimed at reducing accidents on building sites across Northern Ireland.

Launching BUILDSAFE-NI during a visit to the construction site of the new Radisson Hotel in Belfast, Mr Pearson said the new co-operative initiative would aim to improve the health and safety record of the construction industry in the province.

He added: “I have been concerned for sometime at the very poor safety record of the construction industry in Northern Ireland.

“The figures speak for themselves - in the past decade 44 construction workers have been killed and more than 500 severely injured. Putting a halt to this carnage has to be a priority for everyone concerned.”

The BUILDSAFE-NI initiative, which will run under the auspices of CIFNI, aims to reduce all major injury accidents in the construction industry by 50% over a five-year period.

The initiative will run under the auspices of the Construction Industry Forum for Northern Ireland. The forum is a partnership between the government, the construction industry, trade unions and HSENI to address a wide range of mutual interests.

(MB)

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