The vital safety practices developed by the Finnish Construction Industry Federation (RT) and its member companies aim to prevent the most serious, fatal accidents in the construction industry. The new practices are intended to be implemented throughout the industry.
Occupational safety in the construction industry has improved significantly over the long term. However, accidents, including fatalities, still occur in the industry. The most serious of these accidents need to be addressed more effectively and preventively than ever before.
"Too many lives have been lost to work-related accidents over the past ten years. Many of these could have been prevented with the policies that are now being announced," says RT's occupational safety expert Henri LitmanenA total of 58 fatal accidents have occurred in the construction industry over the past ten years.
There are five vital safety practices for the industry, announced on Monday, May 4.5: prevent falls, lift in a controlled manner, disconnect from energy, control movements and machinery, and leave the danger zone.
"The purpose is to pay special attention to activities that are most likely to lead to death. It is not possible to cover all risks and dangers with practices, but the most important thing is to prevent life-threatening ones. The practices focus on things that an individual can significantly influence, and also on how work should be designed to be safe," Henri Litmanen explains.
“Our attitude has a strong influence on how we succeed – in every case. When we understand that accidents can have irreversible consequences, it gives us the motivation to act. Even if our attitude is in order, people are forgetful. That is why we need reminders. Since a mistake can also be due to a lack of competence, we need training and reviewing things,” says Skanska’s HSE Director and RT’s Safety Group Chairman Antti Leino.
The RT website provides materials on vital safety practices that member companies can utilize when implementing the practices in their own operations. The Construction Industry Safety Week will be celebrated from 4 to 8 May 2026. During the week, RT organizes a webinar-style safety vigil every weekday morning, where current safety issues are discussed. During the week, RT member companies also organize their own safety events.
Read more
- Construction industry essential safety practices (pdf)
- Safety Week events, materials and registrations
- Antti Leino's blog post
More information
Henri Litmanen
Specialist, occupational safety
henri.litmanen@rt.fi +358 50 576 5988Talonrakennusteollisuus ry, Uusimaa