WIREDGOV

Construction workers across Argyll and the Western Isles are being urged to pick up lifesaving advice at a free event on Tuesday, 14 February at Oban High School.

Health and Safety Executive inspectors, alongside leading members of the construction industry, will give practical advice on how to prevent death and injury while carrying out key activities on site.

The construction industry is still one of the most dangerous sectors to work in, with 960 injuries to workers in Scotland 2010/11 - including one fatality.

The half-day event, part of the UK-wide "Working Well Together" campaign, is aimed at small to medium sized companies, contracting companies and self employed construction workers. The workshop will cover high risk construction activities including: working at height, use of access equipment, stone cutting and dust issues, transport, mechanical handling and welfare and tidy site practice, as well as information on the risks from asbestos and the steps that can be taken to prevent exposure.

HSE Principal Inspector Iain Brodie said:

"It is through events like this that HSE is working with the industry to help rid construction of its reputation as one of Scotland's most dangerous industries.

"This free event will give practical advice from those in the industry and include the most up to date thinking on how to work safely in this sector. It will provide essential information and advice that could save lives, so if you have a small building, construction or contracting company or if you are self-employed I urge you to attend."

Places are still available to attend this event, although bookings are made on a first come first served basis. For more information and to reserve a place please contact Allan Mulholland at allan.mulholland@hse.gsi.gov.uk or call 0141 275 3062.

Notes to editors

1. The event is being run from 08:30 am - 12.30 pm at Oban High School, Soroba Road, Oban, Argyll, PA34 4JB.
2. Places are still available for this event. Please contact Allan Mulholland at allan.mulholland@hse.gsi.gov.uk or call 0141 275 3062 to book a free place.
3. Guidance and advice on how to reduce risks in the construction industry can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm, which includes free downloadable guidance such as "Health and Safety in Construction HSG 150"
4. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. http://www.hse.gov.uk/
5. Working Well Together is an industry-wide construction health and safety campaign developed by the HSE's Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC). It is run by industry for industry and aims to improve health and safety in the sector. For more information visit http://www.wwt.uk.com/
6. During 2010/10, one worker died while working in construction across Scotland, and there were 959 injuries to construction workers. These, and further statistics, can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/statistics.

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate regional COI press office .