Ireland’s construction industry is being encouraged to strengthen everyday safety practices through the Construction Industry Federation’s (CIF) 2026 Back to Basics campaign, which puts planning, supervision and worker engagement at the centre of accident prevention.

Launched on 12 October, the two-week initiative runs until 23 October and is the CIF’s flagship annual construction safety campaign. According to the federation’s announcement, the theme deliberately repeats last year’s message, reinforcing the need to make core safety practices a consistent part of site operations rather than a short-term campaign priority.

The campaign highlights practical measures including risk assessment, clear communication, appropriate training and effective supervision. These fundamentals are especially important when managing work at height and the use of mobile plant and equipment, which the CIF identifies as significant areas of concern. Regular reviews of safety management systems can help contractors check that procedures remain suitable for the work being carried out and understood by the people doing it.

The importance of this approach is underlined by the Health and Safety Authority’s review of construction fatalities from 2022 to 2024. Published on 20 October 2026, the review records 23 construction-related deaths over the three-year period. It found that 19, or 83%, occurred on sites employing between one and four workers, while falls from height accounted for 15 fatalities. The findings highlight why safety planning and appropriate controls matter on smaller projects as well as larger construction sites.

For contractors, site managers and health and safety professionals, the campaign provides an opportunity to revisit procedures with teams, check that risks are being assessed before work begins and reinforce individual responsibility across every level of a project. The CIF is encouraging companies to involve workers directly in reviewing practices and strengthening safety culture. Its campaign is supported by construction and engineering businesses, with the Construction Workers Health Trust as charity partner and SIPTU as a campaign partner.

The initiative also aligns with European Week for Safety and Health at Work, extending the focus on workplace prevention beyond the construction sector. While a campaign alone cannot demonstrate a reduction in accidents, sustained implementation of sound safety procedures gives businesses a practical foundation for protecting workers and improving site management.

For the sector, the lesson is direct: strong safety cultures are built through consistent everyday actions. By keeping planning, supervision and worker engagement central to site operations, construction businesses can reinforce safer working practices throughout the year, not just during a campaign.

Source: Irish Construction Industry Federation / Health and Safety Authority