The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has reaffirmed support for the Construction Advisory Committee, in a letter to Lord McKenzie of Luton Minister for Health and Safety, and stated that the effectiveness of the group will be limited if its mandate is transferred to the Strategic Forum within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

CONIAC is a forum made up of representatives from across the construction industry which is responsible for advising the HSE on initiatives to minimise health and safety risks in construction. Transferring this role into the Strategic Forum will place this remit outside the HSE, a change that will be to the detriment of health and safety standards in the industry.

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The proposal from the HSE to transfer the mandate of CONIAC to the Strategic Forum will limit opportunities for CECA members influence Health and Safety policy on site.

Rosemary Beales, CECA Director said: "There has recently been comment in the trade press that the ConstructionConfederation, of which CECA is a member, is in favour of this change. This is not the case and I want to emphasise that so far as the CECA membership is concerned, they value the role of CONIAC and wish it to be maintained.

"CONIAC has done good work in the past and can continue to deliver real benefit to the industry. Perhaps the decision makers should be reminded of the old cliché if it's not broke, don't fix it!"

(CD/JM)