Construction’s major injury rate dropped 9% last year, but more must be done to reduce deaths and occupational illness, warned the British Safety Council.
The latest statistics published by the HSE revealed there were 1,913 major injuries, such as amputations, fractures and burns, among construction workers during 2012/13, down from 2,124 in 2011/12. That is equivalent to 156 per 100,000 employees, down 9% from 171.8 per 100,000 employees in 2011/12.
The figures showed there were 39 fatal injuries to construction workers last year, down from 49 the previous year and down from an average of 53 over the previous five years.
The most common cause of fatalities in construction was falls from heights, which resulted in 23 deaths, or 60% of all fatalities recorded, a slight increase on 2011/12, when falls from heights accounted for 57% of fatalities.
Although construction accounts for only 5% of employees in Britain, it is responsible for 27% of fatal injuries to employees and 10% of reported major injuries, the figures show.
“It remains a major concern that the agriculture, construction and waste recycling sectors together account for almost half of unnecessary deaths… We must not forget the tragic toll of work-related disease.”
Alex Botha, British Safety Council
Construction also ranks third highest among industries were employees are most likely to be injured in their jobs, after agriculture with 239.4 major injuries per 100,000 employees and waste and recycling, with 369.8 major injuries per 100,000 employees.
Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council, welcomed the general downward trend in major injuries and deaths, but warned: “It remains a major concern that the agriculture, construction and waste recycling sectors together account for almost half of unnecessary deaths… We must not forget the tragic toll of work-related disease. HSE reports that around 13,000 deaths each year are attributable to work-related disease, including occupational cancers, 40% of which are in construction.”
The HSE’s figures predict a worrying increase in the number of mesothelioma deaths caused by exposure to asbestos. Despite a fall in the number of mesothelioma deaths across all industry sectors, to 2,291 in 2011 from 2,360 in 2010, the number of deaths is expected to increase in future years before peaking towards the end of this decade.
The HSE said the annual number of lung cancer deaths caused by asbestos is likely to be similar to the number of mesotheliomas, pending final figures.
Construction ranked fifth highest, by industry, in terms of the rate of new cases of self-reported work-related illness last year, with around 1,500 new cases per 100,000 employees. Human health/social work ranked highest, with around 2,500 per 100,000.
Construction, transport and storage, manufacturing and human health and social work had statistically significantly higher rates of non-fatal injuries resulting in over three-days’ absence, than for the rest of the economy.
Heather Bryant, head of construction at the HSE, added: “[Although] year-on-year we are seeing a downward trend, we still see too many deaths and injuries in the work place, many of which could have been prevented through simple safety measures. As the economy grows, new and inexperienced additions to the workforce can increase in the risk of injuries to workers. We’re committed to helping employers understand that health and safety is about sensibly and proportionately managing risks and ensuring people understand the risks involved, not creating unnecessary paperwork,” she said.
