The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today, 3 July 2024, welcomed the launch of the Clear Air on Site Campaign by the Construction Workers Health Trust (CWHT). The purpose of the campaign is the to further promote safe working conditions on construction sites by reducing dust and contaminated air on construction sites.
The General Manager of the CWTH, Dr. Alison Gilliland said that having conducted thousands of health screenings among construction workers on site, the CWHT recognises the imperative that all construction sites should be safe and healthy environments to work in. This is especially relevant when it comes to air quality. This Clear Air on Site Campaign promotes the reduction of dust and contaminated air on construction sites and recognises those sites implementing good air practices with a Clear Air Site Flag. We are particularly cognisant of the avoidable hazard silica dust presents to construction workers and hope this campaign raises workers' awareness of it and of the need to ensure the air they breathe at work is not damaging their health.
The Chairperson of the Construction Industry Committee, Andy Smith, said that unions in the construction sector continue to campaign for safe work places. We welcome this campaign as it is highlighting the danger that polluted air and silica dust in particular can pose to construction workers. I hope to see the Clear Air Site Flag been flown on all construction sites.
Dr. Alison Gilliland said the construction employers who wish to showcase their good practice around air quality can apply for a Clean Air Flag by filling in a Clean Air Site Checklist found on our website at https://cwht.ie/clean-air-campaign/ Upon the completion of the Clean Air Site Checklist and a commitment by the employer to continue to use best practices on their site, a Clean Air Flag will be awarded. We will also note their logo and site details as a Clean Air Site Supporter on our website.
