Industry deaths fall to near-record low

Seventy-one construction workers and five members of the public were killed in the construction industry during 2002/03 - the second lowest annual figure recorded so far.

The statistics for the year to 31 March 2003 show a fall from 85 and 113 deaths in 2001/02 and 2000/01 respectively.

Commenting on the figures, the Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) chief inspector for construction Kevin Myers said: "The figures give us ground for cautious optimism, but there is no room for complacency."

The rate of fatal injuries to workers also fell, from 4.4 per 100,000 workers in the previous year, to 4.0 in 2002/03, also the second lowest on record.

Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of death: 34 people lost their lives by falling from roofs, ladders, scaffolds and raised platforms, the lowest figure for seven years, but still accounting for nearly half of all deaths.

Being struck by an object, other than a vehicle, was the cause of 16% of fatalities, followed by electricity (9%), collapse (9%), transport (8%) and others (13%). The five members of the public are included in these totals.

Myers added: "Although the figure is lower than the average in the 1980s and the second lowest on record, it is always difficult to talk in terms of success when you are dealing with human lives that have been destroyed.

"There is nevertheless something to celebrate, while acknowledging that it will ring fairly hollow to the families of those that died.

"This reduction demonstrates that, despite the hazardous nature of much construction work, it is possible to manage the risks and to reduce the number of fatal injuries to construction workers."

Mike Cosman, deputy to the chief inspector of construction, revealed that the age of the worker could be a significant factor.

"Nine of the workers who died were over 60 and a further 21 were aged 50 and over. By contrast only two of those who died last year were under 21," he said.

"Whether this reflects the change in the age profile of the industry and the difficulties of recruiting and retaining the younger workers, or the fact that as we get older we become less agile and less resilient, is something that we need to better understand."

Total fatalities  1998/99 - 2002/03

                             Employees   Self-employed  Public  Total

1998/99               47                   18                       3            68

1999/00                61                   20                       6            87

2000/01                73                   32                        8           113

2001/02                60                    20                       5            85

2002/03                57                     14                      5             76

Source: HSE