A white van with a difference will set off on a two-week safety tour of major construction sites in the region today.

The White Van Roadshow will highlight the potential dangers in the industry, after five construction workers were killed in the North West last year.

The tour will see advisors from the construction industry and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visit nine sites in Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. They will focus on the risks from untidy sites, working at height, manual handling, transport, and asbestos and other dust-related diseases.

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Representatives from leading companies in the construction industry will be among those attending the events, which will include practical demonstrations on new safety equipment.

Wayne Crumpton, HSE's Principal Inspector for Construction in Merseyside and Cheshire, said: "We'll be spending a day at each site to meet as many construction workers as possible, and remind them of the dangers they face every day.

"Good health and safety doesn't have to cost a lot of money. It can be as simple as making sure building sites are kept clean and tidy, or avoiding working on roofs in bad weather.

"The White Van Roadshow will aim to raise awareness about the risks workers on construction sites face every day. I hope it will help to cut the number of deaths and injuries in the future."

The roadshow will set off from Ashton-in-Makerfield near Wigan on 17 May before visiting Ashton-under-Lyne on 18 May, Warrington on 19 and 20 May, and Liverpool on 21 May.

Week Two will see the white van visit Bootle in Merseyside on 24 May, Wirral on 25 May, Salford on 26 May and Buxton on 27 May, before ending its tour in Vauxhall in Liverpool on 28 May.

(CD)