New campaign urges construction sector to go Back to Basics on fall prevention

A new nationwide safety campaign has been launched by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to tackle one of the most persistent dangers on Irish building sites—falls from height. 

Running from 13 to 24 October, the Back to Basics campaign calls on construction firms to re-examine and strengthen safety culture across every level of the industry.

Over the past decade, 70 construction workers have lost their lives in Ireland due to falls, with six more fatalities already recorded in 2025. CIF’s Director of Safety and Training, Sean Downey, said the campaign is a rallying call for firms to move beyond compliance and actively embed safety into their daily operations. 

“We are urging the industry to take decisive action to ensure that safety protocols are not just in place, but truly protecting every worker, every day,” he said.

The initiative reminds companies that working at height includes any situation where a fall could cause injury—whether above, at, or below ground level. Once work exceeds two metres, Irish law requires strict safety measures to be implemented.

Under the Back to Basics theme, the campaign focuses on five key areas: leadership in safety, working safely with utilities, developing future talent, managing critical risks, and preventing falls from height. Throughout October, firms are being encouraged to host workshops, toolbox talks, and on-site safety events to reinforce these principles.

Read the full article on CIF’s ‘Back to Ba sics’ safety campaign 2025.