Back to Basics: A Campaign for Safety

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is launching its 2025 drive for safety under the straightforward but powerful slogan: “Back to Basics.” What makes this year different is a critical partnership with Spinal Injuries Ireland (SII), a partnership which adds a face to the purpose of the campaign to avoid life-altering accidents. Behind every statistic there are families that have been affected for life with the tragic outcomes of a spinal injury.

The “Back to Basics” campaign is a blunt reply to the deep-seated risks that construction workers are still exposed to daily. While safety has progressively improved decade by decade, recent statistics are a stark reminder. Working at height continues to be the most frequent cause of death and serious injury on site.

The campaign breaks down safety into five core pillars:

Visible Safety Leadership

Supervisors and managers need to take a lead role, by example, to create an environment where safety comes first.

Managing the Big Risks

Identifying the biggest hazards at a location and making sure everyone is aware of how to control them.

Working Safely Near Utilities

Increased emphasis on the deadly risks of striking underground gas, electric, and other utility lines.

Preventing Falls from Height

Encouraging strong focus on making the right use of tools, ensuring platforms are secure, and staying vigilant working at height.

Training the Next Generation

Making sure that apprentices and new starters are given proper safety instructions and advice from their first day.

The Human Impact

This is where the partnership with Spinal Injuries Ireland makes a difference. SII transforms the campaign from to-do list to mission. The charity assists over 2,500 families and individuals throughout Ireland who are recovering from the effects of a spinal cord injury.

Their presence makes the abstract concrete. A ladder or scaffolding collapse is not just a violation of a rule; it can be a tragedy that leaves someone paralyzed and with a life of adaptation. When SII representatives visit the site and tell stories personally, they make safety protocols concrete human consequences. Their presence is a powerful reminder that a safety harness or a stop is not just procedure—it’s a lifeline.

Building a Safer World, Together

The “Back to Basics” campaign works because it combines the industry knowledge with the unavoidable force of lived experience. The CIF sets the template, and Spinal Injuries Ireland provides the human touch. The message from the campaign is that a safe site isn’t just about compliance; it’s about a shared culture of care. It’s about each person having an awareness of what’s at stake and looking after each other.

Related Posts