Quarter 2 - Construction Industry Federation

Health, safety and wellbeing

The CIF has updated its Safety, Health and Wellbeing Calendar to address the key focus areas for construction in 2025. The intent is to promote a high level of focus on 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. It must be acknowledged that the calendar is not rigid and may be amended to reflect developing issues or indeed targeted safety or health campaigns.

Lesson Learned / Best Practice in Health & Safety

April 2025

Mental Wellbeing

Mental wellbeing, psychosocial risks and work-related stress are among the most challenging occupational safety and health concerns within the Construction Industry. We understand that stress and other mental health related issues can impact personnel within the construction industry. Research collated demonstrates that these concerns are under reported and therefore may not be apparent to those who provide the necessary support or intervention especially at the times when personnel need it most.

May 2025

Skin Cancer Prevention

May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with most cases caused by UV rays from the sun. SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of a sunscreen’s ability to prevent sunburn from UVB rays. There is no Sun Protection Factor that can completely block all UVB rays. However, the higher Sun Protection Factors provides higher protection from skin damage. Its is advised to use a minimum Sun Protection Factor of 30 +. The UVA rating measures the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVA rays. As part of the SunSmart campaign the HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme, in collaboration with Healthy Ireland and cross-sectoral partners are working together to support people to protect their skin from the sun. The aim of the campaign is to increase awareness of the steps you and your family can take to protect your skin from the sun and reduce your risk of skin cancer in Ireland.

June 2025

Health for All

Health is a personal, social, and economic good, and the health and wellbeing of individuals, and of the population as a whole, is Ireland’s most valuable resource. A healthy population is essential to allow people to live their lives to their full potential, to create the right environment to sustain jobs, to help restore the economy and to look after the most vulnerable people in society. A healthy population is a major asset for society, and improving the health and wellbeing of the nation is a priority for the Government and the whole of society. This means that all sectors of society and the whole of Government need to be proactively involved in improving the health and wellbeing of the population, including the Construction /industry and its employees. When a person experiences health problems, suffers illness or has a disability, the loss of health and wellbeing affects every part of his or her life and those around them. It is vital that this industry is aware of how to encourage best practice to its employees and provide the resources necessary to promote and monitor health for all. The “Construction Workers Health Trust” is dedicated solely to the promotion of better health among construction workers.