A newly published guide will help reduce accidents and improve worker involvement on construction sites.

Construction union UCATT, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), ConstructionSkills and Unite the union, have come together to compile the booklet, Short Guide to Improving Health and Safety on Construction Sites through Effective Worker Involvement.

The guide is the latest initiative of the Strategic Forum for Construction's working group on worker involvement, chaired by Alan Ritchie, UCATT General Secretary. This was formed in late 2007 following the Construction Forum held in September 2007 by Peter Hain, the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

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The document is aimed at all workers and employers in the construction industry, especially those who work for small/medium sized companies (SMEs).

The guide describes how effective worker involvement can dramatically improve safety and reduce accidents on construction sites. As well as information on a company’s legal requirements and practical examples of what should take place there are also case studies of how worker involvement has been implemented.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This excellent guide is designed to provide practical information for employers and workers on how by working together they can improve site safety and reduce accidents. The Working Group has been passionate about the importance of a fully involved, qualified and directly employed workforce for improving the health and safety record in construction. I urge that the advice contained within the guide is taken on board and implemented at the earliest possible opportunity."

(CD/KMcA)