Worker injured “every week” on £745m Aberdeen bypass

More than 100 workers have been injured on the £745m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) project since construction started on the site in early 2015.

Figures obtained by The Press and Journal show a total of 115 injuries have been recorded on the massive civils job.

The numbers have raised alarm among unions and MSPs.

Transport for Scotland said most of the accidents were minor and all are investigated.

A spokesman told The Press and Journal: “The health and safety of all our workers is paramount to Transport Scotland and the contractor Aberdeen Roads Limited.

“All workers are required to hold the necessary health and safety qualifications relevant to their role and robust processes including a mandatory inductions, ongoing training, and regular talks highlighting risks and hazards are in place for all site workers and sub-contractors.

“Site supervisors also receive daily activity briefings to highlight the types of work, hazards and safety precautions to be implemented and these are supported by regular site inspections, safety tours and audits, which are reviewed at weekly health and safety meetings.

“Regular stand down meetings are also held with all staff across sites to reinforce safety and environmental messages and practices.

“Nearly 9000 health and safety inductions have already been carried out since the start of works, and while the vast majority of recorded incidents are minor all are fully investigated to ensure any lessons can be applied to everyday working practices.”

Aberdeen Roads Limited is a consortium of Balfour Beatty, Galliford Try and Carillion.

The last major incident on the site was last month when a worker suffered a broken leg and crushed ribs after being crushed under a half-tonne section of pipe.

MSP Ross Thomson said: “I think the public will be shocked to hear that there has been the equivalent of one accident every week since work started on the AWPR.

“Clearly, with any major project, there will be some incidents, but there have been concerns reported by workers on the project that safety procedures are not as stringent as they should be.

“These findings suggest that Transport Scotland needs to look more closely at health and safety practices along the route of the bypass.

“We all want this road to be built and open to traffic as quickly as possible, but the workers on site cannot be put at unnecessary risk.

“I will be seeking assurances that everything is done to ensure any future incidents are kept to a minimum.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/04/03/worker-injured-every-week-on-745m-aberdeen-bypass/

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