27/05/2002

Construction sector improves safety record

The construction industry has notched up a record number of wins in this year's RoSPA annual Occupational Health & Safety Awards.

The annual awards – now in their 46th year – saw over 35% of accolades taken by the construction sector, representing 350 individual winners at the event, which took place during the four-day Health & Safety Expo 2002 Exhibition.

Many previous winners from the construction industry were back again this year to collect further awards for increased safety performance, including W S Atkins Facilities Management, AMEC/BKW, Mansell Construction and Kvaerner.

A strategy report from the Health and Safety Commission, entitled "Revitalising Health and Safety", has set targets for the reduction of the incidence rates of fatalities and major injuries by 40%, a 20% reduction in the incidence of work-related ill-health, and a similar reduction in the number of working days lost from work-related injury and ill-health.

Mike Foster, Executive Director of RMC Group - Sponsors of the RoSPA Awards – said that he was delighted to hear that the construction sector had demonstrated a willingness to meet these goals.

He said: "The RMC Group is fully committed to continual improvement in the area of health and safety. We believe that work-related injuries and illnesses are avoidable. It is pleasing to hear that once again the construction industry, which is traditionally one with a poor health and safety record, has increased its award wins by over 15%."

(CL)

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