Preserving health and safety on building sites depends on a single human factor: care and concern for your fellow human beings, all three speakers at the 2014 Master Builders Association Health & Safety Awards, agreed recently. The guest speaker at the function in Midrand, Anthony Forgey, Construction Health & Safety Executive at the SA Council for Project and Construction Management Professionals, told the guests that caring for your employees health and safety should not only be regarded as complying with legislation, but as a gesture of care and respect for one another.

“If all employers, designers, managers, workers practice love and care for the people they work with that would go a long way towards safeguarding lives and health on site. The companies who will be honoured for their health and safety achievements at this function practice this philosophy and deserve to be honoured for their efforts,” Forgey stated. Mohau Mphomela, executive director of MBA North, said employers should place the protection of their employees above profits and all other considerations. “MBA North members should make a point of being pre-emptive ahead of stringent Construction H&S legislation that is to come. The bottom line, really, is caring for your workers,” he added. Lea Smith, president of MBA North, in opening the proceedings, praised the MBA North’s Construction Health & Safety department, and said it had taken health and safety in the building industry to a new level nationally.

“Employers who care about the safety of their staff have peace of mind and can sleep without guilt every night. Even those companies who entered our annual competition but failed to achieve top honours have shown that they regard health and safety as important in this industry – and care about their fellow man. It’s not about winning, but participating in a competition that is above self-interest,” Smith said.