Improving Site Safety with Trojan Horse Messages

Trojan Horse messages are cartoons which communicate health and safety information to construction site operatives at point of use, i.e. on the material or equipment being used.  This unique technique overcomes language barriers and delivers the right information at the right place.  With a multi-lingual workforce on construction sites, it is critical that key aspects of health and safety are understood and embraced by all site workers regardless of their mother tongue.

SCI has completed the third phase of the Trojan Horse Messaging Project, a Joint Industry Project to develop the tools required to facilitate the application of the technique within the construction industry.  Ten new health and safety messages were designed and peer reviewed, each supported by an Information Sheet which includes some background on the hazard illustrated in the cartoon and gives guidance on how the message should be applied.

A dedicated website has been developed (http://www.trojan-horse.org/) from which the messages can be obtained.  SCI worked closely with construction trade associations during this project and dissemination activities included papers presented at two health and safety conferences in 2008.

As a result of the project, members of the Trussed Rafter Association have started using Trojan Horse messages on their delivery lorries and the MCRMA (Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers Association) have agreed to carry out a pilot study in order to optimise the use of this technique for steel decking.

The project was sponsored by:

For further information, please contact:

Nancy Baddoo
Manager, Materials, SCI
Email: n.baddoo@steel-sci.com
Tel: +44 (0)1344 636547