Construction injury statistics improve

Injuries to construction industry employees fell sharply in 2001/02, according to the latest Health & Safety Statistics report.

The number of non-fatal major injuries fell by 8% to 3,959; while the number of over-three-day injuries dropped by 4% to 9,013.

However, injuries to self-employed construction workers increased dramatically. Major injuries were up 29% to 521 and over-three-day injuries rose by 34% to 574.

Contrary to popular belief, construction is not the most dangerous industry. Its major injury incidence rate (356 per 100,000) is better than eight other sectors, including mining, forestry and water. And its over-three-day injury incidence rate (793 per 100,000) is better than 20 other sectors, including motor vehicle manufacturing.

But Mike Cosman, head of the construction sector at the HSE, played down the significance of the figures themselves. "The statistics are just a snapshot," he said. "More important is the long-term process of cultural change. It is not just about improving guard rails and toe boards, but about the competence of the workforce as a whole."

Speaking about injuries and long-term health issues, he said: "The industry still doesn't have much of an idea about occupational health. It's a Cinderella subject. It's things like noise, hand-arm vibration, asbestosis etc. These are long-term, chronic conditions affecting a mobile workforce. As such it is hard to know who is responsible."

Cosman said: "The message has been accepted by the construction industry. Now it needs to be internalised and acted upon. Better tools, processes and product specification would help to improve the industry's health performance."