SAFETY FIRST
Soccer legend Packie Bonner launches Source Civil safety initiative
Celtic and Irish soccer legend Packie Bonner has launched a new Health and Safety initiative for Donegal-based civil engineering company, Source Civil. The initiative, entitled “MISE – Make It Safe Everyday”, highlights the personal responsibility every Source Civil team member has in creating and maintaining a safe work environment. The launch took place as part of the Construction Industry Federation National Safety Campaign, ‘Back to Basics’.
Speaking at the launch, Packie Bonner said he was delighted to support a company that prioritises safety. “I just love the simplicity of this initiative. Accidents occur when people don’t stop to think. A safety initiative like ‘MISE’ is a wonderful reminder that we all play a part in keeping ourselves and our colleagues safe.”
The Source Civil ‘MISE’ safety initiative aims to empower every individual in the company and those working alongside them to actively prioritise safety. “Like Packie’s safe hands in goal, we also need safe hands in the construction sector,” commented Eoghan McKeigue, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager at Source Civil. “Safety is our number one priority at Source Civil. It’s isn’t just about maintaining records, it’s about learning and improving together.”
As part of the initiative, a new MISE logo will appear on all Source Civil Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the coming weeks, serving as a constant visual reminder of the company’s commitment to safety. The Source Civil MISE safety initiative promotes a proactive approach to safety focusing on risk identification, safe systems of work, open communication and shared accountability.
Enda Healy, Managing Director of Source Civil, said: “Our people are our greatest asset and protecting them is our greatest responsibility. This philosophy was developed in-house and is embraced by every member of our team. It reinforces that safety starts with personal responsibility and guides how we protect ourselves, our colleagues and the public everywhere.”
Back to Basics
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) launched its annual Construction Safety Campaign in October with the theme of ‘Back to Basics’, encouraging construction companies across Ireland to revisit the core principles that keep workers safe.The campaign, supported by the Construction Safety Partnership, placed a strong focus on preventing falls from height, which remain the leading cause of fatalities in the industry. Sean Downey, CIF Director of Safety, Education and Training, said: “Over the past 10 years, 70 construction workers in Ireland have lost their lives due to falls from height, with six more fatalities this year recorded, most of them linked to falls. This year, we are urging the industry to step up and take decisive action to ensure that safety protocols are not just in place, but actively protecting every worker, every day.
“We’re reminding construction companies that, as outlined by the Health and Safety Authority, working at height refers to any place where a fall could cause injury, whether above, at, or below ground level. There’s no minimum height for these rules to apply, but once work is carried out at 2m, the law requires that proper safety measures are in place. Together, our five sub-themes, leadership in safety, working with utilities, developing the next generation, critical risks management and falls from height, form the backbone of the ‘Back to Basics’ campaign.”
These themes highlight the key areas of focus for improving safety on site, empowering leaders to set the tone for safe practices, ensuring teams work safely around high-risk utilities like electricity and gas, investing in the next generation of skilled and safety-conscious workers, identifying and managing the most dangerous tasks and conditions and tackling falls from height, which remain the leading cause of fatalities in the industry.
“By reinforcing these pillars, we’re encouraging companies to build a stronger, more proactive safety culture from the ground up. Companies are encouraged to host toolbox talks, workshops and site-wide safety events aligned with these themes.”
The CIF has partnered with Spinal Injuries Ireland, a charity supporting individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries. The campaign also continues its collaboration with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, offering mental, physical and emotional support to construction workers and their families.
_____________________________________________________
Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine
Email: michael@irishconstruction.com WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE