Leading associations commit to work together on health and safety

Two leading associations representing contractors have signed a commitment to work together on a range of key health-and-safety matters to improve safety on site. They are the Heating & Ventilating Contractors’ Association and the Electrical Contractors’ Association. They jointly represent nearly 4000 member companies. The key areas of collaboration involve collecting accident statistics to identify national trends, provide technical support for assessment for the Electrotechnical Certification Scheme and Engineering Services SKILLcard, produce written representations on key issues to the Health & Safety Executive and other authorities and develop assessment schemes for member companies. An early outcome of this collaboration will be a jointly hosted major national conference on health and safety in 2006. Robert Higgs, chief executive of HVCA, said, ‘The joint commitment underlines the increasing priority being given to health and safety throughout the construction industry. We owe it to everyone engaged in the construction process to minimise on-site deaths and to ensure the well-being of the workforce as a whole.’ David Pollock, director of ECA, said, ‘Health and safety is of the utmost importance to members of both the ECA and HVCA. Both associations have a reputation for excellence in this area, and we share many common issues. Through co-operation, we aim to maximise our effectiveness and provide opportunities for members to increase their business efficiency. We expect all members of both associations to benefit from this initiative.’