The Health and Safety Executive has reported a rise in the number of deaths on construction sites, according to Building and Construction News.
Construction News reported that HSE’s latest figures registered 50 UK deaths, the first annual increase since 2006/7 when 79 deaths were registered, and nine more than over the same period last year. Chief Construction inspector Philip White was reported as saying that the increase was ‘extremely disappointing’, but that the HSE would continue its efforts to get the numbers down. The injuries are occurring more on smaller sites as major contractors continue to push through safety improvements on site.
Building magazine reported that as a result Construction union UCATT called on the government to rethink its plans to cut funding to the Health and Safety Executive. Acting General Secretary George Guy said they ‘were giving the green light to business to avoid taking safety laws seriously’.
