On-site health checks for workers on Olympic Park site

Jack Lemley, Chair-designate of the Olympic Delivery Authority, announced the move at a Health and Safety Executive conference today, as he put health and safety issues at the core of the Olympic project.

At its peak from 2009 onwards, the site in East London will be a challenging working environment for 7,000 construction workers delivering a major construction programme.

"A healthy workforce is a productive workforce", said Mr Lemley. "We want to redefine health and safety provision away from simply managing risk to actively promoting the future health and well-being of all those involved in the programme.

"I am keen to have on-site occupational health checks for workers.

"It is impossible to manage out all risk on a project of this scale, but I want a pro-health and no accident culture.

"Because of the nature of the construction industry, workers are often itinerant and may not have easy access to medical care.

"On-site health professionals will ensure long term health benefits for workers and for the industry as a whole."

The construction industry sector employs five per cent of London's workers, but accounts for 50 % of fatal injuries and nearly 20% of major injuries in the city's workplaces. (London Assembley Report, November 2005).

Mr Lemley added: "I have always considered health and safety a priority issue in all the work I have been responsible for.

"With the Channel Tunnel project, we were able to complete the programme with a record that was half the national average for frequency and severity of accidents for both countries."

Media Enquiries

Contact the Interim Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 32012 700

Notes to Editors

1. Jack Lemley was speaking at 'Buying for Life in the Public Sector: A Construction Industry Event' at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London. Other speakers include Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Minister for Health and Safety and Alun Michael, Minister for Construction


2. Until the ODA is established by the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Bill, the Interim ODA is formally part of the London Development Agency.