The construction industry must reduce worker fatalities

Though deaths at work in the construction industry is down there are still big improvements to be made  - 15th April 2008

Accidents at work were responsible for 69 deaths among construction workers during 2007/08 according to unvalidated figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Though this figure may alter through further deaths after long illness from injuries at work, or deaths found to be from natural causes, it represents a 10% improvement on the previous year.

Even though these figures are a step in the right direction the construction industry can not be complacent. Further improvements must continue with the aim of stopping fatalities at work completely with continued improvements in health and safety measures at the workplace. Employers and employees alike have a responsibility for identifying and improving inadequate health and safety procedures.

Chief Inspector of Construction at the HSE Stephen Williams said: "The release of these figures comes very soon after HSE inspectors stopped work at a third of the 1000 sites visited during our recent spot checks on the refurbishment sector. We did this because we felt there was a real possibility that lives would be lost or ruined through serious injury. 395 enforcement notices were served during the spot checks and in 13 cases inspectors believed the situation on site to be so poor that prosecution is being considered."

 

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