So often, 'health and safety' is treated as a singular noun, but it's important to think of 'safety' and 'health' as separate issues.
For example, in 2008/ 2009, HSE figures show that there were not only 53 fatalities from site accidents but also 500 construction worker deaths from dust or silica-related health problems and 4,000 asbestos-related deaths.
Safety and health should both be intrinsic concerns of good management, and this programme takes a look at the key health issues in construction, some simple steps to reduce the risks of ill health, and some of the benefits of doing so.
About the contributors
Jane Beckmann has worked for the Health and Safety Executive since 1991 as an Inspector in various roles. She spent the last 10 years as an operational construction inspector, visiting sites ranging from the Olympic Park to small refurbishment projects. Since April 2010. she has worked in the Health Risk Management Unit with HSE's Construction Sector.
Wendy Stimson is Occupational Health Director for industry body Constructing Better Health and has been in occupational health since 1989. She is qualified as a specialist practitioner in OH and joined CBH in October 2007 with responsibility for driving forward the National Scheme in construction.
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