Construction now accounts for more than one-third of deaths at work in the UK despite only representing 8% of the total workforce. Construction workers are six times more likely to die than the average worker.
The latest figures continue the upward trend experienced last year after a decade of gradual decline. This year has seen a massive rise in site deaths: up from 81 fatalities in 1999/2000.
Referring to February's construction industry safety summit, Health and Safety Commission chairman Bill Callaghan said: "I very much hope that the action promised will now begin to feed through and drive down casualties. I will be looking closely to see what progress is being made at the Working Well Together conference in October."
The ECA is organising a Health and Safety Week to coincide with the HSE's October event. The ECA will unveil its Zero Accident Potential initiative in which members will be urged to commit their companies to the reduction of injuries. Contributing companies will receive free guidance notes to enable them to put in place best practice on their sites. The ECA ZAP safety conference takes place on 23 October.
Source
Electrical and Mechanical Contractor