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Health and safety minister sees employees play their part
Lord McKenzie has met construction workers and contractors on a Higgins Construction site in Basildon to hear how they are benefitting from the ‘Do Your Bit’ training programme.
HSE initiative aims to kick-start worker involvement
The pilot course on this project has helped to inform HSE’s approach to the year long initiative including an offer of subsidised training courses.
The courses aim to get businesses started with worker involvement, helping to improve arrangements for getting employees and subcontractors more involved in H&S.
It is in response to workplace research evidence that involving workers has a positive effect on health and safety performance.
Lord McKenzie presented participants with National Construction College Certificates in recognition of their successful completion of the training.
Course well received by all parties
Lord McKenzie the H&S minister said: ‘I’m delighted to have been able to visit and to see first hand how well the worker involvement pilot scheme has been received.
“HSE places great importance on worker involvement and consultation and it’s clear that employees here are motivated to play their part in ensuring health and safety is a priority. The scheme is an excellent advertisement, in itself, for the benefits of worker involvement promoted by the HSE Strategy.”
A course delegate said: ‘The course has been invaluable. We now feel equipped with the necessary skills to identify risks and contribute to health and safety policy. It doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about talking to each other and solving problems together.”
John Green, Group Safety Manager for the Higgins Group added: ‘Safe workplaces are about trust, respect, cooperation and joint problem solving. This course has not only helped the group to remove any existing barriers to good worker involvement but has given employees a real sense of ownership.’
Construction is key sector for ‘Do Your Bit’ funded training
HSE is initially aiming the ‘Do Your Bit’ campaign and subsidised training at new potential health and safety representatives at the construction, manufacturing, transport and motor vehicle repair sectors.
Organisations seeking to improve on their existing consultation and worker involvement arrangements can express their interest in a fully funded training package.
For practical advice and to find out about the latest training dates, visit