That’s the message from the Health & Safety Executive, which says the Olympic delivery programme has shown that building projects on time and within budget does not have to mean compromising on worker safety.
An HSE report, Leadership and worker involvement on the Olympic Park, published today, shows how the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) adopted an inclusive no scapegoating approach to managing risks that could be adapted to any project - irrespective of its size or budget. It is the first in a series of research reports that HSE will publish as part of the London 2012 Learning Legacy.
HSE started working with the ODA soon after London was awarded the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and set out very clear targets of what standards were expected, encouraging strong leadership and sharing of good practice. The ODA's top level commitment to health and safety was made clear from the outset and helped create a safe working environment for the thousands of workers on site.
HSE has received reports of only 114 injuries and eight dangerous occurrences that occurred during the 66 million hours of work, as of October 2011.
Stephen Williams, HSE 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.”
He added: “I want the rest of the construction industry to follow London's lead.”
The full report can be accessed via the revamped HSE London 2012 website
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