Higher safety and health standards in Europe’s construction industry could save up to 1,300 lives each year and avoid 850,000 serious injuries, according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work at the launch of its major campaign on 30 April.

Cutting the sector’s high incidence of accidents and work-related illnesses could also save the European Union (EU)up to €75 billion a year, claims the Agency.

The "Building in Safety" campaign, which will culminate in the annual European Week for Safety and Health at Work (18-22 October 2004), will highlight the health and safety risks in Europe’s construction industry, as well as the solutions, in more than 30 countries throughout the continent.

Speaking at the launch in Dublin, Ireland, Pat Cox, President of the European Parliament, said: "Construction is one of the EU’s most important industries, employing over 12 million people and worth over €900 billion a year. Yet it has one of the worst safety and health records: its accident rate, for example, is twice as high as the EU industry average. The incidence of back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, exposure to hazardous substances and many other risks are also significantly above the average. These problems need to be urgently addressed, not just to alleviate the very real human suffering, but also to reduce the financial burden on businesses and society."

Bertie Ahern, Prime Minister of the Republic of Ireland, which holds the EU Presidency, added: "Tackling this issue is not just the responsibility of construction firms; it is the duty of everyone with a stake in the sector, including architects, planners, engineers and others. Many accidents on building sites are due to decisions taken before any building work starts. As a result, the only way forward – as with so many other health and safety issues – is through partnerships. We have to work together and the Agency’s Building in Safety campaign epitomises this approach – with the full commitment of the EU Presidency, Parliament, Commission and Europe’s social partners."

EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne said: "Our health is our wealth. By placing the safety of construction workers at the heart of this European Construction week we can improve health, reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness. Through effective social partnership we can work to deliver health, employment and prosperity. I am convinced that the European Week on Construction 2004 could be the most prolific yet in terms of contributing to implementation of the Community Strategy on health and safety at Work 2002-2006 and could set the benchmark for future European Weeks."

The campaign, which will be underpinned by a range of printed and online information, including examples of good practice, will be supported by thousands of events in 31 European countries, including Member States, as well as acceding, candidate and EFTA countries. Coordinated by the Agency’s network of national focal points, events will range from training initiatives and promotional campaigns to seminars and workshops. In addition, businesses and organisations involved in the construction industry will be invited to sign an online campaign charter to demonstrate their commitment to higher OSH standards in the industry.

Full details can be found at the Agency’s European Week 2004 Web site.

"Our goal is not only to raise awareness of the risks, especially among small- to medium-sized enterprises, which account for more than 80% of workers in construction, but also provide the tools to improve standards," said Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, the Agency’s Director. "This includes guides and checklists for risk assessment and examples of good practice solutions all freely available from our website. The situation won’t change overnight, but I’m confident we can make a significant impact, provided we have everyone’s commitment. Signing up to our online campaign charter is the first step to displaying such commitment."