The Construction business is often targeted when the topic of occupational risks and accidents is discussed. The construction business entails certain aspects which set it apart from and make it more complex than fixed industries as regards organization and occupational risk prevention.

Despite this, prevention-related improvements can however be achieved by taking action in a specific direction. FCC Construcción has been carrying out an active policy in this field since the early seventies through its former Safety Department, now its Prevention Service.

Far before the Prevention Law of 1995 entered into effect, systems, procedures and manuals aimed at improving construction site safety conditions, reducing hazardous situations and reducing the number of accidents had already been implemented.

On a Quality Management System adhering to Standard ISO 9001 being implemented at our Company, an Occupational Risk Prevention Management procedure was incorporated, comprising an inseparable part of all others, as a integrated part of FCC Construccion management. This meant a qualitative leap forward, which, combined with the requirements of the 1995 Law, made it necessary to bolster the Prevention Service’s human and material means to fully meet legal standards.

Integrating prevention-related matters into daily activity (planning, procurement, subcontracting) has led to a remarkable improvement in the safety situation on our construction sites, and for over twenty years, to a sustained reduction of the accident figures, which are currently at levels three times lower than the nationwide average and around 35-40% lower than the SEOPAN average. This reduction has not been solely among our own personnel, but also among that of the subcontracted companies.

The improvement in the management system, which has passed several external audits compulsory under law and which has been awarded and renewed OHSAS 18000 certification, has been due to a combination of factors driving it in one same direction: the Company Management’s involvement at all levels, that of the engineers and officials in charge on the construction sites, as well as the involvement of the workers and the continuing action of the Prevention Service technicians.

The instructional measures so as to avail of the training and skills necessary for the different jobs are also a major factor, in conjunction with the on-site use of suitable protection systems, adhering to standards, and advanced construction systems which incorporate protective measures or eliminate risks.

This effort must continue, given that prevention can never come to a standstill, as accidents are always waiting to happen. Although the index levels are low (at the fixed industry level or even lower), they must be kept at their current levels, attempting to lower them even further, albeit slowly.

Does not achieve these accident rate figures merely by chance, but rather as a result of many years of hard, dedicated work on the part of the entire organization. This is the key to the success achieved, although as long as accidents continue happening, we cannot be fully satisfied. We have come a long way along the right road, and we must keep on forging ahead.

José Gascón y Marín Laguna
Head of Prevention department of FCC Construcción