The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has invited industry firms involved with refurbishment projects to attend a free health and safety awareness event in North Lanarkshire.

The event is aimed at SMEs companies and will provide advice on how to address serious issues that can impact on both business and lives. The exhibition will take place at Clyde Valley High School in Wishaw on Tuesday, 14 February.

HSE said its figures show almost half of industry workers killed in 2014/15 were carrying out refurbishment work.


While refurbishment work also accounts for 50% of all reported injuries, for every fatal injury it is estimated 100 die prematurely due to ill health, mostly from respiratory diseases caused by, for example, exposure to asbestos and silica dust.

The event next months has been organised by Site Safe Scotland's Working Well Together campaign and North Lanarkshire Council.

Highlights will include a rolling programme of presentations during the event on reducing risks in refurbishment of domestic and commercial sites, covering topics such as working at height and health issues including asbestos, manual handling and welfare.

HSE Principal Construction Inspector in Scotland, Isabelle Martin, said: "Construction continues to be one of the most dangerous industries. Small sites account for the largest proportion of work- related deaths, with high levels of ill health and injuries each year.

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

(LM)