HEALTH
Pictured L-R: Wendy Beatty, Chair Buildhealth, Robert Kidd, Chief Executive, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland and William Lemon, IOSH Chair for Northern Ireland.
BUILDHEALTH CHAIR, WENDY BEATTY ON HOW SHARING THE SAME MESSAGE CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE INDUSTRY’S WORKFORCE… Sharing is caring for the health and safety of workerswithin the consruction industry
W endy Beatty’s professional construction career spans more than 20 years, much of it spent within the health and safety field. During her career it became clear to her there needs to be better provision and sharing of information around Health issues and best practice to the wider construction industry, including smaller subcontracted companies. As she comes to the end of her two- year tenure as Chair of Buildhealth, she reflects on how far the industry has come in terms of improving heath and safety standards for its workforce, and where it still needs to go.
NIB: First of all, what is BuildHealth? Who are its members and what are its main aims? WB: Buildhealth members are construction companies from across Northern Ireland, large and small, who are committed to improving the health of workers within the industry. NIB: What is the construction industry in Northern Ireland doing right in terms of improving the health and safety of its workforce? WB: During my time within the construction industry there have been many changes in relation to health and safety. Machinery has improved, with
additional safety features such as all- round visibility and use of visual aids. Improvements in design of plant and machinery have seen reduced levels of workplace exposure to noise and vibration. I have also seen a considerable shift in relation to staff welfare by the provision of better facilities on site. The construction industry has also been leaders in development of policies and procedures around support of workers from a mental health and wellbeing perspective. The industry is sharing information to staff; providing training and guidance to its staff on how to work both healthily and safely, and involving staff
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