UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 42

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VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 42 OCTOBER 2014

Contents From the Ground Up

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Cast in Stone?

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The Construction Industry: Resource Efficiency Opportunities in the Building Sector 05

Brick by brick Building work is one of the most ancient activities of mankind. Malta’s oldest ‘buildings’, such as the temples at Ħagar Qim, date back to pre-Stonehenge days. Huge blocks, cut from elswhere, transported on site, and erected with such precision that the sun’s rays reach its main altar only at the solstice, make us stand in awe at the industriousness and the ingenuity of our ancestors. Our penchant for building is obvious: our magnificent churches, awesome fortifications, as well as our palaces, cities and houses, all bear witness to the skill and creativity of the Maltese worker. VOICE OF THE

WORKERS

Today, the traditional is becoming rarer, and new ways of building are becoming the norm. This means that over the years, we are steadily losing out on skills that were once common. It would be tragic if this artisanship is lost. Our saving grace is restoration and conservation, as skilled workers in this sector are still in demand. On the other hand, building has become more industrial, and more emphasis is being placed on efficiency. Looking at the health and safety statistics, it becomes easy to point out that the construction

The construction industry scenario

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Construction at European Level

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Video: Construction

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EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA

industry is the sector which has a significant rate of injury at work, with some fatal cases as well. Although the sector is inherently a dangerous activity, we need to do away with the old adage of ‘anything goes’. With the right precautions and a culture of safety, accidents can be reduced drastically. Admittedely, much has been done. But we are far from being near our optimum levels when it comes to health and safety. People who work in the health and safety business can attest to the fact that they are often met with a large dose of skepticism, and are normally 1


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