The Health and Safety Authority has launched a new work safety plan in an effort to stop injury and death on building sites.
Sixteen people died in accidents on Irish construction sites in 2004 and over 1,400 were injured.
The Safe System of Work Plan was released today by Minister for Labour Affairs, Mr Tony Killeen.
The new initiative uses colour pictograms to explain hazards and ensure safety controls are in place prior to work starting.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) HSA said the plan will break language and literacy barriers for the 225,000 workers in the sector, of which four per cent are non-nationals.
Mr Killeen said: "I believe (the plan) will make a very positive impact in reducing injuries and deaths in this hugely important sector of our economy.
"The involvement of workers in the creation of this plan is particularly important and gives workers an ownership and responsibility to ensure that safety is at the heart of all their jobs on a construction site."
The HSA said clear and concise communication was needed to inform non-English speaking people, of whom 4,157 were issued work permits since 2002.