London 2012 - “Health and Safety our Number One Priority” – ODA & CLM

ODA Chief Executive David Higgins said:

"Health and Safety is our Number One priority - it is vital we ensure that the workers constructing the facilities for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are kept safe and healthy. It is not just about reducing risk and injury but promoting good health in the workforce.

"Health and Safety is at the heart of our planning for the project and I am very pleased that CLM have today committed to our Health and Safety Standard."

CLM Chief Executive Ron Brooks said:

"We must do our utmost to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of our workforces as we deliver this exciting project. As with every part of this project it is vital we get the planning right. This Standard shows we are doing that for health and safety.

"Our role as Delivery Partner is to ensure that all work meets the highest possible health and safety standards."

The ODA HS&E Standard was published earlier this year and is based around the principles of consultation and engagement, minimising risk for construction workers and making the London 2012 Games healthier and safer by design.

The ODA's HS&E Standard states that:

1. We have committed to work to minimise accidents with an aim to achieve no more than one reportable accident for every million man hours worked.

2. The ODA will publicly report its health and safety performance against explicit targets, which will announced once construction work is underway. These will be developed with the Delivery Partner and our designers and contractors.

3. No work package/phase of construction work will be allowed to commence until sufficient health and safety plans and method statements have been fully developed and adopted.

4. All construction workers on-site will have access to health checks and those identified with ill health conditions will be offered advice and guidance to enable them to safely retain their jobs.

5. The ODA will have a zero tolerance policy regarding unsafe practices or unhealthy conditions.

6. We believe that a well-informed, engaged and competent workforce is one of the keys to unlocking healthy and safe construction so we are committed to a target of every construction worker on our site holding valid skills certification, for example a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card, and we are already working with colleagues in the LDA to work out effective ways to achieve this whilst ensuring local employment opportunities.

7. Designers of venues and infrastructure will have to provide evidence on how their designs have eliminated and reduced exposure to the risk of accidents and ill health during construction, and also for Games and legacy use.

Notes to Editors

1. The Olympic Delivery Authority is a statutory corporation set up under the London Olympic Games and Paralympic Games Act 2006.

2. View the ODA's HS&E Standard.

Media Enquiries

Contact the Olympic Delivery Authority Press Office on 020 3 2012 700.