Occupational safety and health awareness raising material in the construction sector

Resource list | 13 December 2016
It is well known that construction work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the world. An estimated one in six fatal accidents at work occurs on a construction site. This means that each year there are approximately 60,000 fatal accidents occurring on construction sites around the world. In addition, many other workers suffer accidents or ill health as a result of poor safety and health conditions on work sites. These not only cause pain and suffering but may also result in permanent disability and loss of earnings for both businesses and workers.

Introducing appropriate safe systems of work reduces the likelihood of accidents and leads to safer and healthier sites. In some instances workers and employers may not be aware of internationally recognized control measures to reduce exposure to hazards. Additionally, some Labour inspectorates may not have awareness raising materials highlighting appropriate preventive and control measures in the sector.

In order to assist in raising awareness of safe working practices in the construction sector, the Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch (LABADMIN/OSH) has produced a series of awareness raising materials for prevention of work-related accidents and ill health on construction sites.

The following templates for awareness raising leaflets and posters are available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish on the following topics:
  • Preventing falls
  • Working on roofs
  • Working in excavation and trenches
  • Personal protective equipment
These and similar materials have been produced and used in the Republic of Moldova, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the occupied Palestinian territory and the Ukraine.

The materials are freely available to ILO constituents for downloading and reproduction, provided that ILO LABADMIN/OSH is credited and no substantial modifications are introduced. Please contact your local ILO office in case you wish to use these templates for awareness raising purposes, uploading onto websites or for use in inspection campaigns (English and Arabic examples produced for the occupied Palestinian territory are viewable on this page for reference).