Fewer than one-in-ten fatalities get death benefit

by John d'Arcy



Latest statistics from the B&CE benefits company indicate the building and civil engineering industry's death benefit scheme covers fewer than one-in-ten victims of fatal site accidents.

"During the year ended 31 March 2001, we paid 11 claims for on-site accidental deaths," said Brian Griffiths, B&CE chief executive.

"For the previous year there were seven. It should be noted that there is obviously a delay between the date of the accident and the payment of the claim, although this should not have a major impact on the overall figures."

The number of building and civil engineering death benefit awards compares with an anticipated total of close to 120 site fatalities last year. This followed the previous year's total of 79 site deaths.

Although some of the fatal accidents may have been covered by the much smaller benefit schemes operated by specialist sectors such as electrical contracting and plumbing, the statistics do point to an alarmingly low percentage of those most at risk being covered by industry-based death benefit.

The B&CE currently offers a death benefit of £15,000.

George Brumwell, general secretary of UCATT, said the figures led to the conclusion that those employers who failed to look after the social welfare of the workforce by subscribing to the B&CE benefits package were likely to be those who did least to secure their physical health and safety.