Industry Says Health and Safety Hasn't Slipped During the Recession

LONDON, November 25 - Latest research from the Chartered Institute of Building
(CIOB) shows that 85% of senior level construction professionals don't
believe the recession has affected the level of health and safety compliance
in their company.

Of the 1260 respondents that took part in the CIOB's research
35.7% also stated that their company had increased spending on health and
safety (including training) over the last twelve months; compared to 12.6%
who felt it had decreased.

69% of respondents regarded health and safety as being taken
very seriously in their organisation, inferring a strong health and safety
culture in those companies. A quarter of respondents think it is taken
seriously, but do not feel it has top priority in their organisation.

Michael Brown CIOB Deputy Chief Executive said, "There are
some encouraging signs within our research. Not least that health and safety
is being taken as seriously as it should be even in this difficult time, and
that it is being resourced correctly.

"In the UK the preliminary results for 2009 by the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that the industry has decreased the level of
fatalities in construction over the last twelve months. This could be for a
number of reasons including a decreasing workforce due to the recession. But
clearly the industry won't be satisfied until it can confidently say that
every worker will return home safely at the end of day."

Respondents were asked how they thought health and safety
could be improved in the industry. The majority felt that greater training
and better awareness at all levels of an organisation were essential and
should be ongoing.

44% of respondents felt that health and safety in the industry
wasn't over regulated, with a further 24% stating that it could never be too
regulated. The HSE itself which is responsible for enforcement in the UK was
considered by many as under resourced. Common responses called for greater
involvement of the HSE in terms of advice, support and more site inspections
(including unannounced visits) particularly aimed at small to medium
enterprises.

    Key findings from the report include:-

    - 68.7% of respondents stated health & safety is taken very
      seriously in the company they work for.
    - 84.7% said the recession has not affected the level of health
      & safety compliance.
    - 31.4% of respondents are currently feeling a lot of stress at work.
    - 42.4% of respondents would continue working even if they were
      medically diagnosed as stressed.
    - Job demands (62.2%), senior management demands (32.3%) and
      the possible loss of job (30.4%) cause respondents the most stress.
    - 60.9% of respondents believe that health and safety has
      improved over the last three years as a result of changes introduced
      though regulation.

To view a full copy of the report published today please visit
www.ciob.org.uk/resources/research

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) represents for the
public benefit the most diverse set of professionals in the construction
industry.

Our Mission

To contribute to the creation of a modern, progressive, and
responsible construction industry; able to meet the economic, environmental
and social challenges faced in the 21st century.

    Our 7 Guiding Principles

    - Creating extraordinary people through professional learning
      and continuous personal development.
    - Promoting the built environment as central to the quality of
      life for everyone everywhere.
    - Achieving a sustainable future, worldwide.
    - Advocating exemplary ethical practice and behaviour,
      integrity and transparency.
    - Pursuing excellence in management practice, and
      technological innovation rooted in evidence based science.
    - Being socially responsible and working responsibly.
    - Enabling our members to find an emotional resonance with the
      Institute; their success is our success.

We have over 40,000 members around the world and are
considered to be the international voice of the building professional,
representing an unequalled body of knowledge concerning the management of the
total building process.

Chartered Member status is recognised internationally as the
mark of a true, skilled professional in the construction industry and CIOB
members have a common commitment to achieving and maintaining the highest
possible standards within the built environment.

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Further information is available by contacting Saul Townsend CIOB Press and Communications Manager on t: +44(0)1344-630-766 or e: stownsend at ciob.org.uk Or
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