The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has unveiled a new construction advisory network.

The newly-formed Construction Industry Advisory Network (CONIAN) brings together a wide representation of organisations and workers across the industry to provide a platform for sharing good practice and behaviour, as well as to support those that need to boost health and safety performance.

CONIAN has been set up following the reconstitution of the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) earlier this year. CONIAC advises HSE and relevant stakeholders of emerging health and safety developments and risks in the construction industry, and agrees plans for the promotion of effective risk control.

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The new network was officially unveiled at HSE's Rose Court office in London on Tuesday, 07 December.

In addition, a new only community aimed at sharing knowledge, good practice and responding to risks from changes in the workplace and new technologies was also launched.

Speaking after the launch event, HSE's Construction Division and Chief Inspector of Construction Director, Peter Baker, said: "As part of our drive under Help Great Britain Work Well to promote broader ownership of health and safety, this inaugural event focussed on how the construction industry can work together through CONIAN to support, assist and take the lead in delivering objectives shaped around reducing risk.

"CONIAN will not only give the diverse areas of construction industry a voice, it will help HSE and industry to identify and share the many examples of sensible practices and innovation, as well as understand the reasons for poor health and safety performance and behaviours within our communities and reach those who need help.

"Ultimately, it is through working together with the aim of reducing ill health, death and injury that we will set a direction for managing present and future construction risks."

(LM/MH)