Objective 5

The CSPAC will continue to raise awareness of occupational health issues in the construction sector and promote improvements in work practices to help reduce the rate of death and ill health from occupational health hazards.

Each year a significant amount of construction workers suffer ill health as a result of being exposed to hazardous substances. It is also recognised that the issue of occupational skin cancer is a matter of serious concern. The CSPAC will continue to raise awareness of occupational health issues in the construction sector and promote improvements in work practices to help reduce the rate of death and ill health from occupational health hazards.

Goals:

• In association with Objective 1, develop a standardised approach to manage chemicals and dangerous substances such as silica to reduce short and long term health effects to workers.
• Raise awareness of risks of occupational related cancers such as the increased risk of skin cancer for outdoor workers and promote appropriate measures to combat the harm caused.
• Develop and promote initiatives to reduce the harm caused by manual handling related injuries.
• Develop and promote initiatives to support construction workers with psychosocial issues.

Objective Group Chairperson: Andrew Smith, BATU

Objective Group Members: Mark Madigan, ESB; Pauric Corrigan, NISO; Niamh McNulty, CIF; Sinead Gaines, CIF; Pat Kenny, CWU; John Regan, SIPTU; Kevin Broderick, HSA Inspector.