British Safety Council supports the Breathe Freely campaign

The new initiative has been undertaken by BOHS in partnership with Constructing Better Health, Land Securities and Mace. The purpose of this initiative is to prevent occupational lung disease in the construction industry.

Neal Stone, acting chief executive of the British Safety Council, said: "The British Safety Council is pleased to lend its support to the Breathe Freely campaign – a campaign aimed at preventing lung disease among workers in the construction industry. The evidence shows us that there are still significant numbers of construction workers at risk from occupational exposures. The improvements made in construction over the last twenty years in reducing fatal and major injuries need to be mirrored in our work to prevent exposure to occupational disease.

We will play our part to help raise awareness of the risks in the sector as well as the information and support available to businesses and managers. We acknowledge the determination of key stakeholders in the construction industry to tackle this issue and we are committed to working with BOHS, our members and other stakeholders to gather and disseminate good practice.”

Mike Slater, president of BOHS, added: "We’re delighted to have the support of the British Safety Council for Breathe Freely. The aim of this initiative is to raise standard across the construction industry in terms of worker health protection, focusing specifically on ensuring workers are being protected from the hazards which cause lung disease. This is a collaborative initiative and with the support of organisations like the British Safety Council we believe we can really make a difference.”