Portwest (Charles Hughes Ltd) and the Chris Mee Group have joined forces to help promote National Construction Safety Week.

The two businesses will collaborate to host a closing event on Friday, 26 October, with a demo focusing on the dangers of "Working at height", at the Boland's Mill Site.

Construction sites are the second most hazardous working environment after agriculture and the construction sector has the highest injury rate over any other sector. There were six fatalities in 2017 and as construction activities in Ireland increase, the two organisations are urging employers to manage the inherent risks through a collaborative approach which will create safer working environments.

Employers must assess the hazards of each workplace and identify the correct measures which should be implemented according to each of their employees' individual needs.

This includes;

• Ensuring that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used as a last resort when all other safety measures are in place.

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• Understanding that PPE is not a one size fits all.

• Considering the needs of employees with medical conditions such as asthma or bronchitis.

• Ensuring all PPE meets the relevant European Safety standards.

• Regularly provide opportunities for employees to upskill and train.

Overall workplace safety practises include providing instructions, procedures, training and personal protective equipment to encourage people to work safely and responsibly. The session, on the high profile Boland's Mill Site, will see an expert from the Chris Mee Group suspended from height demonstrating best practice with a representative from Portwest discussing personal protective equipment with construction group, BAM.

"Portwest and the Chris Mee Group have strong similarities. As leaders in our respective fields, we are equally committed to providing the highest standards of health and safety products to those working in one of our most dangerous industries. Statistically, working at heights is a major risk on construction sites but it is not the only risk. Silicosis or moving plant machinery are also high risk and we are urging employers and employees to apply a balanced and thorough approach to safety," said Brian Murnane, Group Business Development Manager with the Chris Mee Group.

Owen Hughes, Managing Director with Portwest, added: "There are growing levels of safety and health awareness in workplaces and we want this unique event to further influence those changes in behaviour. The aim is to play a role in the reduction of accidents and fatalities."

National Construction Safety Week began on Monday, 22 October, and runs until Friday, 26 October.