Enhancement of Safe and Healthy Work Environment in Small and Medium Construction Enterprises (SHEMS)

According to European statistics the number of accidents in construction industry is significantly higher than in any other land-based sectors in the European Union. The number of reported accidents (where 3 or more days absence occurs) is double that in the construction sector to the allsector average. The picture for fatal accidents is even worse, with nearly 13 workers per 100,000 being killed in construction as against 5 per 100,000 as the all-sector average.

Over 99% of construction firms in Europe are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are therefore most affected by construction accidents. Worldwide, construction workers are three times more likely to be killed and twice as likely to be injured as workers in other occupations.

As noted for several European countries, hazardous jobs are often rejected by nationals, whereas unskilled migrant workers tend to concentrate mainly in construction sector where risks are higher. Thus construction sector is confirmed as an important source of employment for immigrants in almost all European countries. Immigrants without a regular work permit face a particularly difficult situation, as they are segregated into low-paid, precarious and unhealthy jobs in this sector.

On the other hand there are not sufficient occupational safety specialists to increase the awareness among target group on occupational health and safety measures, signs and markers in the construction industry. The visual training materials for low educated adult people are not sufficient and the use of signs and markers for the safety of the workplace is not common.

“Enhancement of Safe and Healthy Work Environment in Small and Medium Construction Enterprises” (SHEMS) project aims to reduce the effects of the deaths and injuries due to the work accidents and occupational diseases in construction sector in which employees have lower level of education and language barrier. Through SHEMS project, new signs, markers, visual training and 3D animation materials will be produced to improve the efficiency of the trainings. Additional training materials for occupational health and safety will be offered via synchronous and asynchronous trainings within an e-learning module.

If you want to be a partner of this project, please send your PIF to iladesk@gmail.com