CONIAC launches new website to support industry health and safety

The Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) has launched a brand new website which aims to share free regularly updated, expert support, tools and guidance for the construction industry.

CONIAC was established in 2003, to advise the HSE on the protection of people from health and safety hazards within the building, civil engineering and engineering construction industries. Its membership comes from the HSE, employers, employees and key industry stakeholders, including small and medium-sized enterprises. It is chaired by the Chief Inspector of Construction. 

This is their first website which is an important step in helping the industry move forward post pandemic, CONIAC says, as it seeks to be at the forefront of occupational health and safety in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Council (CIC) say they are sponsoring the new site, so the wealth of information and guidance produced by CONIAC could be freely available to the industry.

CIC Chief Executive Graham Watts says: "CIC has had a long-standing relationship with CONIAC who are heavily involved with CIC's Health and Safety Committee. CONIAC has produced a range of expert tools and support for the industry and CIC knew it was important to create an online home for CONIAC and a place for them to share this abundance of intelligence."

The website will also showcase the work of their four working groups: Tackling ill health, Managing risk well, Keeping pace with change and Supporting small employers. In addition, the Working Well Together (WWT) initiative is hosted within the site which comprises 16 regional groups across the UK which will be an instrument for engagement with micro-businesses and SME's in construction. 

HSE Acting Chief Inspector of Construction Mike Thomas says: "As part of our vision within HSE's People and Places strategy, we acknowledge the changing world of work, bringing with it new and emerging risks. We also recognise that more needs to be done to tackle occupational ill health whilst continuing to ensure that standards of safety are properly managed and maintained.

"CIC, CONIAC, CONIAN and the associated working groups and networks will continue to be at the forefront of our collaborative efforts with the wider industry to address these issues. We all strive to make the construction industry a safer and healthier place to work, and this new website will provide CONIAC with the platform to showcase the excellent work being undertaken in pursuit of these goals."

The website can be visited at www.coniac.org.uk