At this stage of the London 2012 construction programme we are facing up to two big challenges – a great increase in the number of workers on site as we come closer to the Games (there will be 11,000 workers at the peak of construction), and the risks that are produced because of the sort of work we do.
The Olympic Park is getting busier every day with deliveries that will increase from the current rate of around 650 per day to around a 1,000 per day during the peak phase.
Last year, the UK saw the lowest ever figures for accidents in construction, but still hundreds of people got hurt across the UK industry and one person a week lost their life just doing a day’s work.
This is why the Olympic Delivery Authority's (ODA's) health and safety programme is so important.
The ODA has been working with contractors on the Park to promote the importance of health and safety.
On the Olympic Park and Olympic Village we have a record that makes us and our contactors feel very proud. For the first time a major building programme employing thousands of workers has a safety record that matches up well with employment in Great Britain. We have been commended by Ministers who have seen our work in action, but we cannot be complacent - there are still challenges ahead.
There will be a major exercise throughout 2010, where the ODA works closely with contractors and sponsors, to ensure that everyone knows what they are supposed to be doing and that there is effective leadership from supervisors, ensuring that, as well as getting the job done, workers will be going home safely every day.
We have done well and are still above our very challenging aspiration of less than one accident for every million hours worked. Already we have achieved eight sets of a million hours worked without a reportable accident, but we can do better. The best target of all is for health and safety to make a huge effort, involve everyone, prevent lots of harm, and be 'invisible' as we move towards the Games.
Our efforts are already influencing others. People visiting our site from the nuclear industry, construction firms and clients have led to new commitments across the UK to do better.
And with imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, we were delighted when Crossrail looked at our standards and approached us for a starting point for developing their own project across London.
We want to remember the Games for the right reasons, which is why health and safety is so important.
