The Scottish Building Federation has this week launched a major health, wellbeing and safety campaign in the run-up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Government, the building industry, its clients, and the public at large must work together to improve awareness of health, wellbeing and safety issues in the construction sector and improve the industry’s performance in all of these areas.

This was the key message as incoming, current and former Presidents of the Federation came together at the new purpose built National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome at Parkhead to officially launch the “Target 2014” campaign.

They were joined by Delhi Commonwealth Games cycling silver medallist and 2014 Scotland team hopeful Charline Joiner.

By raising awareness and promoting best practice, the “Target 2014” campaign aims to deliver a long-term change in culture within the Scottish building industry with a view to reducing the number of serious injuries and fatalities within the country’s construction sector over the next three and a half years leading up to the opening of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July 2014.

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As part of its industry wellbeing drive, the Federation will also be actively supporting the British Heart Foundation during 2011.

The Federation elects a new President each year. It is intended that overall responsibility for driving forward the campaign should pass from one Federation President to the next. Current President Jamie Pert, immediate past presidents Bill Imlach and Ian Robb and incoming President Robbie Cooke were all in attendance at the campaign launch, demonstrating the collective commitment of Federation Presidents past, present and future to drive forward the campaign.

Scottish Building Federation President Jamie Pert commented: “The Federation wants to introduce a culture of continuous improvement in health, wellbeing and safety throughout Scotland’s construction industry. Given all of the investment currently being made to build the infrastructure Glasgow needs to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the period leading up to the opening ceremony seems like a logical timeframe for the initial phase of our campaign to run.

“But just as the investment being made in Glasgow is intended to deliver a lasting legacy for the city, our intention is to sustain this campaign long after the Games have drawn to a close.”

Incoming SBF President Robbie Cooke, who takes up his responsibilities in March, added: “As current President of the Federation, I know that Jamie is keen to get this campaign off to a flying start over the coming weeks. After that, once I take over from Jamie in March, I very much look forward to taking the baton of responsibility for driving the campaign through the rest of 2011 and into 2012.”

(GK)