September 3, 2004—A new project to cut high levels of waste on construction sites and to improve construction workers’ health and safety was announced recently by UK Employment Relations Minister Gerry Sutcliffe. Currently, about 15-20% of all material delivered to construction sites ends up wasted, costing the industry hundreds of millions of pounds a year. The Health and Safety Executive reports that almost half of construction industry accidents are the result of cluttered and disorganized worksites.
The project aims to spread environmentally friendly practices throughout UK construction sites by encouraging contractors, sub-contractors, and trade unions to work more closely. It will provide companies running construction projects with the necessary tools to ensure that everyone joining a construction site learns about environmental concerns and safety as part of their induction. These tools will include learning packs, tools to manage and maintain partnerships, and a framework for reporting success.
The project will be managed by Greenfile Developments, specialists in construction, partnerships, and sustainable development, and will be funded in part by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Strategic Partnership Fund.
