Construction fatalities total 54 after Wembley death

Construction workers' union UCATT has calculated that, following the death of a man this morning (Thursday) at the £757m Wembley stadium project, 54 construction workers have been killed since April 2003.

General secretary George Brumwell said: "The death and the injuries suffered by one of his workmates is terrible news. Our thoughts are very much with their families. The numbers of fatalities and serious accidents are rising alarmingly. The carnage has to stop."

In a bid to reduce the number of construction site accidents and deaths, UCATT is investing substantial funds in appointing five health and safety advisers who will travel the country offering their advice services free of charge to employers and seeking to establish safety reps within the sites they visit.

Research has consistently showed that workplaces where union safety reps are engaged experience 50% fewer accidents than places without safety reps.

"However, we suffered a double whammy today", Brumwell added. "We have been working very hard indeed to make the new Wembley stadium a very safe site, yet we had this tragedy.

"I can assure you our safety campaign goes on."