The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is encouraging construction firms in the Grampian area to attend a safety event being held later this month.

Around 75% of workers killed or injured on building sites are from small and medium sized construction companies, and those firms are now being invited to attend a free half-day safety and health awareness event on 17 September in Bucksburn, Aberdeen.

The event, organised by the HSE and the construction industry's Working Well Together campaign, will focus on safety issues for construction workers, especially during the groundworks phase.


As part of the event, there will be a rolling programme of practical demonstrations on issues such as plant and people interface, unloading/loading lorries, working with buried services, safe trench work and working in confined spaces.

Isabelle Martin, HSE Principal Inspector, said: "Incidents at the groundworks phase, for example trench collapses, can often be fatal, so it is vital that managers and company owners understand how to reduce risks on their sites.

"This free event will provide essential information and advice that could help save lives, so I urge local construction businesses to attend."

The safety and health awareness event will be held on Wednesday 17 September in the Engineering Lecture Theatre of Scotland's Rural College's Cruickshanks Building in Bucksburn, Aberdeen. Places must be booked in advance.

(JP/CD)