Working group presentation: Promoting safety in the construction industry is a joint game

This time RT's security team is on the board presenting RT's committees and working groups.

RT's committees and working groups, consisting of representatives of member companies and RT's employees, are one key way for member companies to influence RT's operations. The task of RT's safety group is important: promoting the safety and health of work in the construction industry. The group's activities are explained by the chairman Antti Leino From Skanska.

What is the purpose of the safety team's activities?

The safety group wants to continue improving the safety level of the construction industry. We monitor and participate in the development of legislation, we share information on both good and problematic safety-related issues by producing communications, materials, statistics and training, and by participating in surveys and investigations. We provide a forum for discussion and development.

Safety is connected to the whole of responsibility: the industry must have good working conditions in order to attract labor - and of course so that everyone gets home from work healthy at the end of the day.

Who are the group members?

The group includes about 15 RT member companies' leading safety experts from the building industry. In addition, there are also representatives from the infrastructure industry, the construction product industry and the roofing industry.

What is the top agenda in the security group in 2024? 

The safety group meets four times a year. In addition, it has small groups on selected themes linked to RT's strategic goals: contractor management, common practices, deviation management and leadership development. From these, we produce materials and communication for the use of member companies.

We talk not only with authorities and research institutes, but also with security experts from other fields. Among other things, we will visit Meriturva's training center in the spring of 2024.

This year, we have also challenged people working in management positions in the construction industry to share their own views and experiences about why and how safety must be managed and what good it brings. Through this safety management communication challenge, we want to send a message to the entire construction industry that good management plays a decisive role in promoting occupational safety and well-being. They have participated in the challenge so far Riku Patokoski, CEO of Bonava Suomi Oy ja Hartela's director of land acquisition and housing development, Johanna Palosaari.

Describe the group in three words.

Committed, knowledgeable, inspiring.

Why should you participate in RT's working groups?

The security expert is often alone in his company in his own role. Through the group, you can get peer sparring, help and learn about good practices and deviations, such as accidents and near-miss situations. Meetings without exception also positively brighten up the work week!

RT's security team

• develop the industry's general occupational safety and safe work methods
• improves the occupational safety capabilities of member companies and spreads good safety practices to the member field
• monitors the impact of legislative changes at both the EU and Finnish level based on the preparation of RT's office
• gives statements and opinions on practical occupational safety issues
• maintain active cooperation with authorities

Group composition 2024

See also

Thursday 18.4. Scaffolding Thursday is organized to remind people about the dangers of working with scaffolding. With the help of the day, we want to prevent fall accidents. It is organized by Rakennusteollisuus RT, Rakennusliitto and the Labor Protection Administration.

• Scaffolding Thursday 18.4. materials
• Read more about the security group