For some time I have been uneasy about the direction of your health and safety blunders

As I recall, it started with a UK focus to highlight poor practice. With the addition of photos from overseas it seems to have become more of an opportunity for us to feel superior, reinforce stereotypes and to have a giggle, rather than to reflect on our practices.

I wonder if the time has come to refocus the column on making us more aware of what we can do in our daily work to improve the safety and the health of those who work in or are affected by construction.

“Don’t walk by!” is a health and safety slogan I’ve seen on a Carillion site. Action was taken following publication of at least one of your UK blunders and I seem to recall at least one correspondent saying he had taken action as well as a photo.  

I’d like to encourage everyone to act if it is dangerous. It is useful to know what happens when the bad practice is reported to the employer or the self-employed are challenged. It is not only those engaging in bad practice who are at risk.

Graham Shennan, the former managing director of Bluestone, liked to ask: “What does good look like?” Let’s have some safety wonders in the column too. I’d like to see the column retitled so in future readers are encouraged to share photos of UK blunders and details of the action they took to remedy the situation, as well as photos illustrating good safety or health practice from anywhere in the world.

Alan Mossman, The Change Business

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