INTERSEC TO HIGHLIGHT LATEST TRENDS IN SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

60,000 deaths in the sector out of 2.3 million workplace fatalities worldwide

Accidents at construction sites continue to cause concern as statistics by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) indicate that they are a major cause of workplace deaths. According to figures, fatalities at construction sites have in the past led to 60,000 deaths out of 2.3 million workplace fatalities studied worldwide.

With around 90 per cent of accidents at work attributed to human error, industry leaders and local authorities are looking to implement stringent measures to bring the count down considerably.

“Construction site accidents are of immediate concern in the Middle East, where the industry forms a major part of the local economy with over $299 billion worth of construction projects currently under way in the region,” said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of Epoc Messe Frankfurt GmbH, organisers of Intersec, the international meeting platform for security, safety and protection.

“Companies are actively working on changing the work culture in order to improve health and safety standards and local authorities are introducing more awareness campaigns. Increased understanding about the risks posed by unsafe practices and educating the workforce about industry best practice will definitely bring down the accident rate considerably,” Pauwels added.

“At Intersec we join hands with industry experts and local authorities to spread the safety message across all aspects of the workplace. Builders, architects and real estate developers are among those who can benefit by studying the latest developments in the health and safety sector,” he stated.

An area of vital interest to delegates at Intersec 2011, which will run from January 16 to 18 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be the Fall Protection Special Display by Capital Safety Group and Singing Rock as part of the outdoor demo area. With a large number of construction site accidents occurring due to falls from heights, the latest techniques in fall protection and risk management will be a big draw for local industry professionals.

Featuring for the first time at Intersec, the new Commercial Security in a Changing Economy Conference, running from January 16 - 17 is designed to bring together professionals working in the security industry to exchange and explore ideas related to commercial security.  This years Protecting Life and Major Developments from Fire and Other Emergencies Conference taking place on January 18 will bring together international and regional experts to discuss the challenges involved in fighting high rise fires.   This year will also feature a workshop dedicated to Emergency Planning for the Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sectors featuring international experts who plan, prepare, respond to and manage emergencies and crisis within this sector everyday.

Among the many companies displaying the latest in safety management measures at the exhibition will be Ansell Healthcare Systems, 3M, JAL Group, HAIX, Honeywell Life Safety, Sioen, Nebosh, IOSH, Bolle Safety, Cofra, Draeger Safety, MSA, Lion Apparel, Allsafe, Texport, PBI, BATA Industrials, Schubert to name a few.