25 people lost their lives between 2016-and-2025 in construction-related incidents involving plant, machinery, or vehicles across the island of Ireland, resulting in the establishment of a new campaign to improve safety around moving equipment.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), in partnership with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), has launched the all-island ‘People – Plant – Safe Separation Campaign’ which will run until 18 September 2026.
During the campaign inspectors will be urging construction employers, contractors and plant operators and workers to take action to prevent people coming into contact with moving vehicles and machinery such as excavators, dumpers, telehandlers, and forklifts.
Camilla Mackey, Principal Inspector at HSENI, said: “People and plant can be a deadly combination when risks are not properly managed. Every year workers are injured or killed in incidents that could have been prevented through effective traffic management, competent plant operation, and adequate maintenance of plant & machinery. By working together, we can help prevent avoidable tragedies on our construction sites and ensure all workers return home safely at the end of their working day.
“Continued tragic fatalities point out the continued need for employers, contractors, plant operators, and workers to ensure robust control measures are in place wherever people and plant interact in the same environment. We will be encouraging duty holders to review traffic management plans, ensure plant operators are appropriately trained and competent, maintain safe exclusion zones and implement effective communication systems between workers and operators.”
As well as focusing on the safe operation of plant and machinery, HSENI will issue promotional material and awareness-raising activities will also be carried out to encourage improved safety standards across the construction sector.
Speaking ahead of the joint campaign, Senior Inspector at the HSA, Joan Flynn said: “Construction sites are busy and high-risk environments where workers and machinery often operate in close proximity. Effective planning, safe systems of work, competent operators, and clear separation of people from moving plant can prevent life-changing injuries and fatalities. This campaign is a reminder to everyone in the industry to stop, assess the risks and ensure work can be carried out safely.”
While the campaign runs for two weeks, the HSENI and HSA emphasise that preventing incidents involving plant and machinery requires a sustained commitment throughout the year.
Further information and campaign resources are available at ‘People – Plant – Safe Separation’ as well as HSENI’s guidance at Workplace Transport.
