– We need to take better care of people in building and construction

Many around the municipalities are working to build the country – literally. Whether it is houses, roads, schools or bridges, people with helmets and safety shoes do the job. But it is also among these professions that we see that most are tight out and fall out of working life too early.

Shoulders, knees and back often take the noise first. Then maybe the sleep problems or other health problems come. For some, the solution becomes sick leave. For others, it will be disabled. It is demanding – both for the individual and for society.

Therefore, it is gratifying that a proper power has been initiated to make working life in the country’s largest mainland industry, building and construction; Safer, more health -promoting and more inclusive.

Collaboration that gives results

The power roof we are talking about is the IA industry program for building and construction; A collaboration between employers, trade unions and the state. The goal is to reduce sickness absence and ensure that more people can work longer. This is not about nice words, but about very specific measures, adapted to the challenges in this industry. And it seems.

Take, for example, the company Nortekk, which has been part of the program. After working systematically with improvements in the working environment and health, they managed to significantly reduce sickness absence in one year. Such results do not come by themselves – but they show that it is useful when grabbing.

What is done in practice?

The IA program works with five main areas:

– Better planning: HSE should not start first when meeting at the construction site; It must already enter the design.

– Better physical work environment: Less dust, noise and vibrations. More order and tidiness. It provides safer working days.

– Better psychosocial work environment: Stress, anxiety and poor work environments also provide sick leave. The working environment is about more than just protective equipment.

– Better training: Managers and employees get tools and knowledge to do preventative work in a simple and practical way.

– Prevention of dropouts: How can we arrange for people with health problems to still contribute, instead of falling outside?

During the project period 2025-2028, we will continue to focus on musculoskeletal disorders, dust and respiratory complaints, noise and vibration injuries in addition to a number of other areas associated with HSE, sick leave, dropout and facilitation in the industry. These are measures that both small and large companies can use. It is about attitudes, planning and will.

We all need hands

If we are to be able to build everything we need in the years to come, we must take care of the professionals we have. We cannot afford people in the 40s or 50s. Then we have to create jobs that can stand in – the whole professional life. It benefits the employee. It benefits the company. And that benefits the local community.

In the municipalities we have many talented people in building and construction. They deserve a working life that takes them seriously – and that makes it possible to go home with health.

Contact us in the IA industry program! We welcome new projects with the aim of preventing and reducing sick leave and dropout.

Nina Solli, CEO

NHO the construction industry

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