Disturbing construction fatalities figures show that the industry needs to do more to improve health and safety, writes Caroline Gumble.
In the last few weeks, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published data on the number of workplace fatalities for 2023/24. There is simply no way to greet the statistics positively, as they show an increase from the 2022/23 figures for the construction industry which, in turn, showed an increase on the same figures for 2021/22.
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When hearing of the figures for 2022/23, I said that the number of construction fatalities was distressing. I also noted that the reality behind the figures is that those people never made it home from work – there are loved ones and families out there still living with the consequences and pain of these losses.
It is disturbing to be confronted with the realisation that things are getting worse. It is also powerful motivation to ensure we don’t become complacent about prioritising safety on every single project and every single site.
As a sector, we have put work in over the years to improve worker safety and wellbeing – but these latest figures clearly tell us that there is more to do.
So what else do we need to do? What’s missing or not working? What action is required?
Maintaining the right culture
The chair of our Health and Safety Advisory Panel, David Bucksley, has recently written about the same subject, offering some suggestions to improve things.
An important point he made was that at company level, the challenge to maintain the right culture is critical. Are all the basics in place to focus on managing out risks at the earliest opportunity? Do you have the right processes in place to manage staff turnover and a loss of organisational knowledge? Is there an environment in which people can speak up to point out what’s not working or request things that are needed in addition to existing measures?
Although there are challenges that can be met by company leaders, we do all have a part to play.
CIOB will continue to do what we can by keeping this subject high on the industry’s agenda, as we have committed to in our corporate plan, and by supporting our global community of members through the sharing of best practice and industry innovations.
Caroline Gumble is chief executive of CIOB.
Read David Bucksley’s blog here
