The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has challenged the construction industry in the UK to learn from the example of the construction of the London 2012 Olympic site in order to improve health and safety in the industry. This is following the first of a series of reports regarding the London 2012 learning legacy.
The Olympics Delivery Authority (ODA), which is responsible for the construction of the Olympics site in London, has apparently set an "exemplary" record in terms of health and safety. By October, in the 66 million hours that have been worked on the site, only 114 injuries have been reported.
The HSE and the ODA began working together after London was selected to host the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012, and the HSE claim that the ODA's "top level commitment to health and safety was made clear from the outset and helped create a safe working environment for the thousands of workers on-site".
Stephen Williams, who is the HSE's Director for London 2012, said: "The report shows how strong leadership and worker involvement are key to a safer working environment. The ODA's creation of a no scapegoating culture allowed workers to raise issues without fear of reprisal, learning lessons to apply across the site and reducing the risk in hazardous activities."
He continued, "The construction industry has for many years been one of the most dangerous in which to earn a living. London 2012 is important because it shows it doesn't have to be that way. No matter what size your organisation, no matter what size your project, small changes in the way you operate can have a huge impact on the health and safety of your workers."
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