Construction companies, especially SMEs, are urged to attend free health and safety training as they work in one of Britain's most dangerous industries.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesman said that about 75% of workers killed or injured on building sites come from small and medium sized construction companies, so these are particularly encouraged to attend training in Blackridge, West Lothian.

The half-day event, organised by the HSE with the Working Well Together campaign, will focus on the groundworks phase.

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There will be practical demonstrations of quick hitches, unloading/loading lorries, working with buried services, safe trench work and working in confined spaces.

Iain Brodie of the HSE said: "Incidents at the groundworks phase, for example trench collapses, can often be fatal, so it is vital that managers and company owners understand how to reduce risks on their sites. This free event will provide essential information and advice that could help save lives, so I urge local construction businesses to attend."

The event, on Wednesday June 27 2012 at Sibbald Training, Shona’s Way, Sibbald Park, will offer clear, practical advice on minimizing risk in the workplace, in keeping with the Working Well Together campaign’s aim of significantly reducing accidents.

For more information and to book, contact Allan Mulholland at [email protected] or telephone 0141 275 3062.

(NE/GK)