Health and safety professionals are beginning to take positive steps towards improving communication in the construction industry, according to 3M.
The company says this was revealed at its annual Construction Safety Summit, which was organised by 3M’s Personal Safety Division. The event brought together industry influencers, opinion leaders and industry professionals to discuss topics of concern for those working in the construction industry.
3M says a recurrent theme throughout the day was that communications are critical to construction site activity. This was reinforced by 3M PELTOR communications specialist Tim Booth, who spoke about the safety implications surrounding failure to communicate effectively.
Rob Green, a senior marketing executive specialising in the construction industry at 3M, used the event to propose new platforms of internal communication to encourage the whole workforce to get involved in the development of personal safety best practice.
Jane Hopkinson, senior psychologist at the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL), who also gave a presentation on behavioural change based on the HSL’s Make It Happen Model, said: “We will only be able to tackle the health issues surrounding long latency illness by driving behavioural change throughout the industry with a holistic approach. Such an approach ensures that managers and construction site staff are provided with the capability (correct physical and social environment), opportunity (knowledge and skills) and motivation to behave in a healthy and safe manner.”
Rob Green said: “The event was really well received as long latency health issues continue to plague the industry. Engaging health and safety managers to tackle these problems through clear communication and behavioural change initiatives will improve compliance and ultimately the welfare of the workforce in the industry.”
Other topics discussed included the importance of correct guidance in health and safety matters, the selection and fit for respiratory products and hearing conservation.
