Experts in construction safety from all around Europe came together in Edinburgh recently for a historic international congress organized by the Association for Project Safety (APS) and the International Safety and Health Construction Coordinators Organization (ISHCCO).
Raising competency standards, addressing new risks, and enhancing international cooperation in construction health and safety coordination were the main objectives of the meeting.
Leading experts were given a forum to talk about the most recent safety coordination best practices, technical developments, global issues, construction of a resilient future, and regulatory changes.
Concerns about competence and compliance in a post-Grenfell environment were among the main topics covered.
Conversations centered on how Safety and Health Construction Coordinators (SHCCs), who include UK Principal Designers (PDs) and Principal Contractors (PCs), need to adjust in order to guarantee higher safety standards as building safety laws become more stringent.
Discussions of New and Emerging Risks were also held; in addition to well-known dangers like asbestos and silica, the event brought attention to new occupational risks and how climate change affects building safety.
Speakers at the Congress also reaffirmed the importance of technology, namely the ways in which digital innovation, including BIM and emerging technologies, may improve risk management and health and safety procedures.
The European Council of Civil Engineers (ECCE) Manifesto talked about building a resilient future by climate-proofing design infrastructure, introducing greater collaboration between ISHCCO and the International Social Security Association – Construction Section (ISSA-C) to address global challenges, and measuring performance in an effort to improve safety outcomes for long-term industry improvements.
APS has a long history of enhancing health and safety cooperation in the UK and Europe as a founding member of ISHCCO. In order to improve construction safety, the joint Congress emphasized the value of exchanging best practices and encouraging global cooperation.
Andrew Leslie, Chief Executive, APS, commented:
“APS was formed by consequence of EU Directive 92/57 which impacted on all EU Member States. Despite the UK decision to leave the EU, APS recognises the importance of sharing good practice and research and development with our ISHCCO colleagues, particularly as many design and construction goods and services are now delivered on an international basis.”
Evangelitsa Tsoulofta, ISHCCO President, added:
“ISHCCO’s vision, as the umbrella organization of safety and health construction coordinators in Europe and Worldwide, is to affirm its members’ professional identity and collaborate with OSH and construction professionals and institutions for a safer, healthier, and sustainable construction industry and infrastructure.
“Promoting construction OSH, we not only protect the lives and well-being of construction workers but also contribute to the sustainability of our industry, infrastructure, and society. I extend an invitation to all OSH and construction professionals to join ISHCCO in this noble mission, and I look forward to working together to build a better future for all.
“Building on the success of Edinburgh 2024, our Spanish colleagues will host the next ISHCCO General Assembly and Congress in Madrid in 2025, further strengthening ties between European safety coordinators.”