News & Info
National construction safety campaign to remind workers of critical risks
14th October, 2024
Annual national awareness campaign will run from 14-25 October promoting positive health and safety in the construction industry.
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), the Irish construction sector’s representative body, will run their annual safety campaign from 14 to 25 October 2024. The CIF will be asking those in the construction industry to run safety and health events for five days between these dates.
The theme of the campaign is ‘Focus on Critical Risk’. The CIF are encouraging construction workers to get involved by identifying the risks they are exposed to, develop initiatives to build awareness on these risks, and plan how to mitigate them.
Critical risks are considered activities that are undertaken frequently that, if not controlled, could lead to significant injury or fatality.
Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures show the construction industry consistently has the second highest incidence of fatalities and injuries in Ireland.
Solicitor Maria Lakes, who specialises in accident at work claims, welcomes the initiative, as she says most workplace accident claims she has dealt with could have been prevented.
“What I consistently see with accidents at work, whether in the construction industry or another sector, is this: if the health and safety procedures were followed as they should have been, the accident could have been avoided.”
“So many of these accidents have life-long impacts, and they can be devastating for those involved. Proper training, correct safety equipment and procedures are all essential, particularly in high-risk sectors like agriculture and construction. But also, a heightened awareness of risks and an avoidance of careless behaviour could go a long way to prevent a lot of these accidents from happening,” says Maria.
“It’s easy to become complacent about a risk when it’s something that’s dealt with on a daily basis. These safety campaigns can serve as a timely reminder for employers and workers alike to think twice about the risks involved in their workday,” she adds.
Employers of construction sites have a responsibility to ensure the best possible safety procedures are carried out and followed. An employer has a duty of care to employees and is accountable for any safety hazards that may cause personal injury.
If you were injured in an accident at work that was not your fault, whether on a building site, or any other work environment, we may be able to help you to get compensation for what happened to you.
We’re here to help. Contact us and a member of our specialised accident at work claims team will be happy to have a confidential discussion with you about your case.
Maria Lakes is a Partner and Personal Injury Solicitor at Tracey Solicitors LLP. Maria is a Committee Member of the Law Society of Ireland’s Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee, and a Committee Member of the Dublin Solicitors Bar Association Litigation Committee. Maria prides herself on helping clients navigate challenging situations through legal solutions.