RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

September 27, 2006
WORKER ENGAGEMENT: THE KEY TO IMPROVING SAFETY?

The findings of a landmark study into the involvement of workers in health and safety will be unveiled at the RoSPA Scotland Safety and Health at Work Congress tomorrow.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s Dr Iain Cameron, Head of Construction Management and Economics, and Dr Billy Hare, Research Fellow, undertook a project funded by the Health and Safety Executive examining whether engaging construction workers in issues of health and safety was worthwhile.

The study considered the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to worker consultation at construction sites across Scotland. Traditional approaches involving safety representatives or committees, and newer approaches such as informal or ad hoc meetings and suggestion schemes were examined.

Karen McDonnell, Head of RoSPA Scotland, said: “Organisations need to employ creative thinking to find ways of engaging workers in health and safety that suit their specific circumstances. This study from Glasgow Caledonian University found that construction workers were open to being consulted and favoured verbal communication.

“In 2005/06, seven construction workers were killed in occupational accidents in Scotland. Giving workers a stronger role to play in reducing a figure such as this is a topic currently attracting a great deal of attention. Earlier this year, for example, the Health and Safety Commission consulted on ways of improving worker involvement.

“There are good reasons for engaging workers in health and safety - not only do they have a wealth of knowledge about their specific jobs that could be harnessed to aid the development of safe working practices, but involving them could also foster a greater sense of belonging, increasing the likelihood of compliance with these practices.”

The RoSPA Scotland Safety and Health at Work Congress, which takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at the Hilton Hotel Glasgow, in association with ESS Support Services Worldwide, will address injury prevention and safety in the wider context of public health.

See: www.rospa.com/scotlandcongress/ for more information.