Advisory network set up to give all areas of the construction industry a voice

A new advisory network, aimed at giving all areas of the construction industry a voice, was launched last week (7th December) by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Construction Industry Advisory Network (CONIAN) is a newly formed stakeholder network, bringing together a wider representation of organisations and workers across the construction industry. CONIAN has been set up to provide a platform for sharing good practice and behaviour, and to reach and support those that need to improve health and safety performance.

The launch event, held at the HSE’s Rose Court office in London, brought together representatives from government departments, trade unions, construction businesses and trade associations. Speakers included Martin Temple, HSE Chair, Gail Cartmail, Unite’s assistant general secretary, and Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director for Construction at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. A new online community aimed at sharing knowledge, good practice and responding to risks from changes in the workplace and new technologies was also launched.

Speaking after the launch Peter Baker, director of HSE’s Construction Division and chief inspector of construction, said:

“As part of our drive under Help Great Britain Work Well to promote broader ownership of health and safety, this inaugural event focussed on how the construction industry can work together through CONIAN to support, assist and take the lead in delivering objectives shaped around reducing risk.

“CONIAN will not only give the diverse areas of construction industry a voice, it will help HSE and industry to identify and share the many examples of sensible practices and innovation, as well as understand the reasons for poor health and safety performance and behaviours within our communities and reach those who need help. Ultimately, it is through working together with the aim of reducing ill health, death and injury that we will set a direction for managing present and future construction risks.”