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Posters prompt awareness
16:10 25 Sep 2003
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The construction industry's battle to reduce the number of deaths
caused by falls from height has received a welcome boost after
Willmott Dixon produced a series of hard-hitting posters that can
be used by all contractors.
Health & Safety Executive figures for the year to 31 March 2003 show that 34 of the 76 construction workers and members of the public killed by the industry fell from roofs, ladders, scaffolds and raised platforms (CJ 30 July).
Now the posters, which show close-ups of children to highlight the effect the death of their father or mother could have on their lives, can be seen in prominent places on all Willmott Dixon sites.
Chairman Rick Willmott said: "We recognise that the posters are hard-hitting, but they have to be to attract attention. They are designed to play on someone's individual sense of responsibility to behave in a safe manner.
"They are also trying to illustrate that it is not just the parents that suffer after a fatality, but the children as well," he said.
Although the posters feature the Willmott Dixon logo, they are available free to all contractors, who can add their own logo.
Willmott Dixon has had 10 reportable accidents on its sites since the start of the year; a reduction of 35% year-on-year.
The improvement is a reward for the emphasis Willmott Dixon places on health and safety. Site managers undertake five-day Construction Industry Training Board courses, two-day induction courses and are given presentations on health and safety.
Two Willmott Dixon inspectors visit sites every fortnight to give ratings on various health and safety issues. If the total score is less than 80%, the business unit receives a £250 fine, below 70% is £500 and if a prohibition notice is issued it leaps to £2,000, doubling every time action is not taken.
However, sites that perform well are rewarded with cash bonuses. Willmott added: "It may seem like a carrot and stick approach, but it works as the reduction in accidents since the start of the year shows."
<F06E> Posters can be obtained
by e-mailing celia.thompson@
willmottdixon.co.uk.
Health & Safety Executive figures for the year to 31 March 2003 show that 34 of the 76 construction workers and members of the public killed by the industry fell from roofs, ladders, scaffolds and raised platforms (CJ 30 July).
Now the posters, which show close-ups of children to highlight the effect the death of their father or mother could have on their lives, can be seen in prominent places on all Willmott Dixon sites.
Chairman Rick Willmott said: "We recognise that the posters are hard-hitting, but they have to be to attract attention. They are designed to play on someone's individual sense of responsibility to behave in a safe manner.
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"They are also trying to illustrate that it is not just the parents that suffer after a fatality, but the children as well," he said.
Although the posters feature the Willmott Dixon logo, they are available free to all contractors, who can add their own logo.
Willmott Dixon has had 10 reportable accidents on its sites since the start of the year; a reduction of 35% year-on-year.
The improvement is a reward for the emphasis Willmott Dixon places on health and safety. Site managers undertake five-day Construction Industry Training Board courses, two-day induction courses and are given presentations on health and safety.
Two Willmott Dixon inspectors visit sites every fortnight to give ratings on various health and safety issues. If the total score is less than 80%, the business unit receives a £250 fine, below 70% is £500 and if a prohibition notice is issued it leaps to £2,000, doubling every time action is not taken.
However, sites that perform well are rewarded with cash bonuses. Willmott added: "It may seem like a carrot and stick approach, but it works as the reduction in accidents since the start of the year shows."
<F06E> Posters can be obtained
by e-mailing celia.thompson@
willmottdixon.co.uk.
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