Number of construction fatalities drops

The latest workplace injury statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a 15.5 per cent drop in the number of construction fatalities, following last year's sharp rise.

The injury statistics for Great Britain for the year from 1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998 show a drop in construction fatalities from 90 to 76 - the lowest figure recorded in the last two decades. Across all industries there were 268 deaths, compared to 287 last year.

Frank Davies, chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, said: "Last summer we were concerned because fatal accident figures had risen - we were not sure if the rise was a 'blip' in the previous downward trend or the start of an upward trend.

"This year's estimated figures seem to suggest a blip last year, mainly in deaths of self employed workers. This is where there is the biggest reduction this year - 58 self employed workers died in 1997/98 compared to 80 in the previous year.

"It looks as if the fatal injury rate for workers will return to 1.0 per 100,000 workers. This is good news as it equals the rate two years ago, which was the lowest ever achieved."

Jenny Bacon, the HSE's director general, said: "Last year we said we would be concentrating our efforts on areas of greatest concern - especially small firms and the self-employed in the construction industries. The fatality figures are encouraging. Credit is due to those in the industry themselves but I hope also reflects our efforts."

However, the level of fatal injuries to members of the public has risen from 367 to 397, of these injuries, 95 per cent (378) were in the service sector, of which 81 per cent (308) were reported to the Railway Inspectorate.