Safety, Health and Wellbeing Calendar 2024
Quarter 4 (Oct – Dec) – On the Road, Off Road, Onsite
The CIF has updated its Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Calendar to address the key focus areas for construction in 2024.
The intent is to promote the importance of essential site safety considerations, as perceived by the CIF Safety and Health Subcommittee. The calendar endeavours to provide an itinerary of key diary events for each calendar month to reflect national and international campaigns for safety, health and wellbeing. The calendar is not rigid and may be amended to reflect developing issues or indeed targeted safety or health campaigns.
October 2024
Construction Safety Campaign
This is an annual, national awareness campaign aimed at promoting positive safety and health amongst Ireland’s 170,000+ construction workers, clients and industry stakeholders. This year’s campaign runs from 14th October to the 25th of October, and this year’s specific theme focuses on Managing Critical Risks. The goal is to generate engagement amongst CIF members and non-members alike, to further promote a culture of safety, health and wellbeing in construction. We are asking partners to Get Involved and to run safety and health events for five days over the 10-day period, promoting their safety initiatives through social media. The CIF Safety Campaign 24 includes toolbox talks, video content and links to supplementary guidance. Coincidentally, October 14th is the start of Restart a Heart Week and so, with a focus on health and wellbeing, we will partner with the Irish Heart Foundation to promote heart health and encourage contractors to train staff in CPR – Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in a Hands for Life initiative. Webinars will be hosted throughout the campaign and available on our website.
Additionally, World Mental Health day takes place on the 10th of Oct which will be supported by our charity partner “The Lighthouse Club”, the NISO awards are held on 11th October in Killarney, European Safety Week runs in tandem with our campaign beginning on the 25th of October, and World Stroke Day takes place on 29th October.
November 2024
Lifting and Loading
In November, attention is drawn to safe lifting and loading practices, to include use of mobile and tower cranes. All lifting activity requires a high level of competency of individuals, team-work and pre-planning. When used correctly on firm and level ground, and with a fully trained and competent lifting team, mobile cranes are also one of the safest items of equipment. Additionally, safe lifting is as much about load preparation, load securing and transportation. Load securing for road transport is covered specifically by Road Traffic legislation, which requires that loads carried by vehicles must be properly secured at all times.
We encourage all members to review their lift plans, to ensure that they are comprehensive and site specific. For further information, refer to the Irish Standard I.S:361:2024 Code of Practice for the safe use Tower Cranes & Self Erecting Cranes and the Irish Standard I.S. 360 Code of Practice: Safe Use of Cranes in the Construction industry.
During November, we also recognise three additional important campaigns: Prostate Cancer Awareness (1st November) Movember (1st until the 30th) and World Diabetes Day (14th November).
December 2024
Driver, Vehicle and Journey Safety
The focus during December 2024 is on safe driving techniques. As we head into the winter months, with darker mornings and shorter daylight hours, we must ensure our site activities and operations are planned and managed in a safe and controlled manner. ‘Winter Readiness’ when driving is also very important. Focusing on the key issues in the checklists below will help us maintain high standards of safety, health, and welfare on our sites and when driving to and from work.
On the 1 St of December, we recognise World Aids Day and on 3rd December, we acknowledge Day of People with Disability.
Member Toolbox Talks
October 2024 – Construction Safety Campaign – Managing Critical Risks
This is an annual, national awareness campaign aimed at promoting positive safety and health amongst Ireland’s 170,000+ construction workers, clients, and industry stakeholders. This year’s campaign runs from 14th October to the 25th of October, and this year’s specific theme focuses on Managing Critical Risks. The goal is to generate engagement amongst CIF members and coincidentally, October 14th is the start of “Restart a Heart Week”. So, with a focus on health and wellbeing, we will partner with the Irish Heart Foundation to promote heart health and encourage contractors to train staff in CPR – (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) in a “Hands for Life” to further promote a culture of safety, health and wellbeing in construction.
Ronan Redmond CIF, Executive Safety & Training
November 2024 – Lifting & Loading
Working safely with lifting and loading operations requires competent workers, the right equipment, a safe plan of action and proper supervision – every time.
Peter Quigley, Wills Bros
Are You Ready for the Movember Construction Challenge?
This November, we’re calling on Ireland’s construction industry to lay the foundation for something bigger. For 30 epic days, we challenge you to grab your mates, grow some magnificent mo’s, raise vital funds, and compete for the crown in Ireland’s Movember Construction Challenge.
The construction industry has some of the worst rates of suicide in the UK & Ireland, with male construction workers 2.7 times more likely to die by suicide than the average person.
Movember wants to open up conversations to help change the face of the Irish construction industry when it comes to mental health. We want to help workers to end the stigma around asking for help and we have resources available for leaders to help them to open communication channels with their workers.
How to Get Involved:
Whether you’re on-site, in the office, or out on the road, everyone in construction — from builders and tradesmen to suppliers and engineers — can join the Movember Construction Challenge and make a difference.
1. Sign Up:
Head to Movember.com and create your personal Mo Space
2. Create Your Team:
Set up your company’s Movember team Mo Space and rally the crew.
3. Join the Challenge:
Once your team page is live, join the Construction Challenge.
4. Spread the Word:
Get the whole industry involved – challenge your competitors and partners to join the cause.
5. Need assistance:
We’ve got your back. Drop a line to Kevin at [email protected] — he’ll get you sorted.
By joining, you’re backing groundbreaking research and programmes, including the “Movember Ahead of The Game” initiative, which has already trained over 4,500 young players, parents, and coaches across Ireland to build mentally resilient communities.
So, are you up for the challenge? Let’s build something amazing together this Hairy Season.
