CIOB calls for strategic approach to health and safety

The Chartered Institute Of Building (CIOB) is urging the government to set up a further health and safety summit to deal with the number of fatalties in the construction industry.

The call follows the recent National Audit Office (NAO) inquiry into the UK's construction industry health and safety records which showed that despite the fact the rate of accidents in the UK is the second lowest within the European Union it is still considerably less than the average.

Chris Blythe CIOB chief executive said: "The CIOB believes that there should be a strategic approach in dealing with this problem at a national level, drawing together all organisations that can influence the industry's health and safety and not just the industry's umbrella bodies.

"We need to systematically assess risk on all construction sites, large and small with a review process in the event of site accidents. Our current solutions are clearly not sufficiently working well enough.

"If we are to make real change with significant improvements we have to look at the full spectrum of the problem and this encompasses the need to educate and train the whole workforce and compulsorily test the entire workforce," he said.

"The need to gain commitment of all those in supervisory and management roles who carry heath and safety responsibilities to deliver zero tolerance on any health and safety infringements is essential. Professional consultants must understand their roles to ensure best practice in health and safety, and be prepared to withdraw their labour rather than collude with bad practice."