Contractors, clients and supply chain are set to join forces over the next 12 months in a new drive to improve the safety, health and wellbeing of everyone involved in major projects.
Organised by the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG) – whose members include EDF Energy, Environment Agency, Heathrow, Highways England, HS2, National Grid, Sellafield, Tideway and Transport for London – the initiative aims to tackle the causes of illness and injury in the sector.
The group has committed to initially tackle seven significant areas of risk this year. They are:
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- People & Mobile plant
- Mental health
- Striking buried services
- Lifting operations
- Heavy goods vehicles operations
- Hand-arm vibration related disease
- Public safety
By April 2020 the group said it would develop an “ambitious and innovative” set of actions for each of these seven risk areas. The aim is to eliminate the illness and injury caused by these risks by 2025, rather than simply to reduce it.
ICG members will be supported by suppliers from across the sector, with many already volunteering to support the initiative. Other clients and suppliers are also invited to sign up through the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), which is supporting the project. Interested organisations can get involved by emailing CECA.
Tideway director of health, safety and wellbeing Steve Hails said: “Our research signposts the key health, safety and wellbeing risks that our sector faces. We are working collaboratively to make sure we crack down on these risks. If you want to play a part in securing game-changing improvements to the industry, I would strongly encourage you to volunteer your support for this important work”.
