Union backs HSE Olympic role

The Prospect union today has backed research that demonstrates the contribution the HSE made in ensuring that the Olympics construction project was not only delivered on time and to budget, but set a new benchmark for health and safety. The research, from Loughborough University, showed that the injury rate on site was 0.16 per 100,000 hours worked, which is far less than the building industry average of 0.55. The injury rate was even lower than the average for all industries which is 0.21. There were also no on-site fatalities on the whole London 2012 construction programme, making these the safest Olympic games in modern history. According to Prospect's health and safety officer, Sarah Page 'The success of the Olympic construction was enhanced by the regulations and approach adopted by HSE. Its years of experience of projects like the Channel Tunnel and T5 prompted HSE to make crystal clear from the outset its faith in and expectations of the UK construction sector to be an exemplar'. She added 'It shows the importance of good regulation, sensitively and strategically applied, empowering leaders to set the tone for a project. A programme of targeted HSE visits added assurance that the project was being delivered effectively and with everyone on board, including the workforce. It counters Coalition Government claims, parroted in much of the media, that proactive health and safety is a burden on business. We urge ministers, the business community and other stakeholders to embed the Olympic learning legacy across business sectors as a model for success and supply chain support. This project has proved what is possible despite difficult times.' Professor Alistair Gibb, of Loughborough University, said of the Olympic partnership "Successful safety management relies on systems and people working together in tandem - neither is sufficient on its own and they rely on each other to achieve the best outcomes." In addition to the safety benefits, there was an occupational service provider operating on site. This support, which included health checks, health surveillance and health promotion, was available for all workers and all suppliers had to ensure their personnel actively participated.

• HSE report
• Research