Prevention section

International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in the Construction Industry

Prevention section

International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in the Construction Industry

Objectives

The purpose of the International Section of the ISSA on Prevention in the Construction Industry is to promote study and research in various countries, facilitate the exchange between experts and the world of labour, and mobilize specialists for the elaboration of strategies, methods, as well as new instruments for action and analysis.

The section organizes technical meetings, studies, round tables, expert discussions and specialized meetings during ISSA Congresses and International Symposia on prevention of occupational accidents and diseases.

The Section on Prevention in the Construction Industry was founded in 1968 and is one of the 14 International Sections on Prevention.

During the 20th century, the construction sector went through considerable changes in the technical, economic and social fields. The design and use of new processes and the research for better architectural and functional quality as well as for new ways of work organization, are changing and influencing the construction industry.

Despite the undisputed progress, which may vary among countries, the prevention of injuries and promotion of occupational health still remain the main challenge in the construction industry.

The expansion and increasing interconnectedness of construction activities on a world-wide scale in the 21st century constitute a challenge to clients and project supervisors, architects and research departments, company managers and employees, managers and employee representatives, prevention experts – such as occupational physicians and engineers, safety specialists, occupational psychologists and ergonomists – working in both the public and private sectors.

The section therefore wishes to further develop a global and multidisciplinary approach of prevention of risks in the construction industry and to promote a Vision Zero approach in order to

  • detect needs and expectations in occupational safety and health,
  • design safety devices and measures, and co-ordinate their set-up,
  • develop tools to better anticipate and assess human, social and economical costs of occupational accidents and diseases.

Structure

Its two executive bodies are the General Assembly and the Board. The General Assembly is composed of the members of the Section and shall meet once every three years. The Section's members elect the Board, which is composed of a President, a Secretary General, a Technical Secretary, currently nine Vice-Presidents and a Honorary Vice-President.

The Section is funded by membership fees which are determined by the Board.

Board members

List of Board members (pdf)