Conference ‘Construction Safety’
Conference ‘Construction Safety’ 18 October 2004
Location Maasgebouw Stadium De Kuip Rotterdam
Conference background
European Week 2004: 'Construction Safety'
The European Week is the annual campaign of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The European Week 'Construction Safety' was held at the same time in all member states of the European Union from 18 to 22 October 2004.
The aim of the campaign was two-fold:
• to increase awareness with regard to health and safety in the construction sector;
• to exchange information and good practices to improve health and safety in construction.
Despite significant efforts by employers, employees and other parties, working in the construction sector remains dangerous. In addition to the risk of a fatal accident or injury:
- muscular and skeletal problems occur significantly more often than average in the European industry;
- almost one out of two employees in the sector complain of back pain;
- construction workers are more often exposed to hazardous substances, including carcinogenic substances such as asbestos;
- the millions of construction workers in Europe are more likely to have work-related health problems than employees in other sectors.
The costs in terms of personal suffering are clearly visible, but also the financial costs, for example caused by time loss and medical costs, are worrying; these sometimes amount to 8.5 % of the total costs of construction projects.
In over 30 countries the Construction Safety campaign focuses not only on risks in the construction sector, but also on tried and tested practical solutions.
Conference 'Construction Safety’
The campaign reached a high point during the Construction Safety conference on 18 October 2004.
Programme Conference
09.15 hours
Reception and registration
10.15 hours
Introduction and opening by Mr. drs. D.J.D. Dees, chairman of the Dutch Occupational Health and Safety Platform.
Forum discussion led by day chairman Wouke van Scherrenburg with:
- C.J. (Cees) van Vliet, director of the Health and Safety Foundation
- Dick van Haaster, chairman Dutch Trade Union Confederation - Construction
- Drs. D.J.D. (Dick) Dees, chairman Dutch Occupational Health and Safety Platform
- Ir. C.K. (Cees) Pasmooij, director Aboma/Keboma
- Mr. J.P. (Jan) Laemers, industry director Construction, Health and Safety Inspectorate
11.15 hours
The competition is in 3 rounds with 2 changes:
You can choose to take part in a programme part in 3 rounds:
- Workshop The Chain of liability, by the Health and Safety Foundation
- Workshop Safety awareness
- Workshop Risks in the construction sector (falling from a height, quartz dust, physical load)
- Good Practice Parade. Participants in the Good Practice competition will present their good practice in their own amusing way. Good and proven practical solutions for safety in the construction sector. The day chairman will supervise the parade.
- Construction market. Information on health and safety in the construction sector. Health and safety services, suppliers and trade journals will be present.
- Tour of Feyenoord stadium
15.30 hours
Review and award ceremony for the Good Practice Prize, presented by state secretary Van Hoof.
16.15 hours
Programme end, followed by drinks
