The construction industry has been warned that it needs to learn from the health and safety successes of the London Olympics 2012 project if it is to improve its record of accidents and fatalities.
The sector is still one of the most dangerous in the country, yet the London 2012 Games construction project had, as of October, been brought in on time with reports of only 114 injuries and eight dangerous occurrences during 66 million hours of work.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began working with the Olympic Delivery Authority as soon as it was awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with both ensuring that there was an inclusive “no scapegoating” approach to managing risks, irrespective of the size of project or budget.
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The HSE has now published a report on the project.
Stephen Williams, the HSE’s director for London 2012, said: “The construction industry has for many years been one of the most dangerous in which to earn a living. London 2012 is important because it shows it doesn’t have to be that way. No matter what size your organisation, no matter what size your project, small changes in the way you operate can have a huge impact on the health and safety of your workers.”
