Editor's comment: A record year for deaths...

The headline on the latest news release from the Health & Safety Commission looks like it’s really bad news: ‘Fatal Injuries to British Workers at Record Levels’. Another tragic statistic and bad news story. But look more closely at the detail, and it’s clear this isn’t the case. While 59 deaths in 2005/06 is still 59 too many, the figures are moving in the right direction - it’s a record low, rather than a record high.

This year has actually seen a 14% fall in fatal injuries, which is certainly good news. It’s a further 10 people returning to their families each night, and 10 fewer families having to go through the trauma of losing a loved one. But that still leaves the fact that 59 families and 59 construction firms had to deal with the hardest thing that can happen to anyone or any firm.

The drive to reduce accident rates further could be hindered by the Health & Safety Executive’s plans to axe 350 jobs (CJ 16 August), but the likelihood is that this will mean more targeted inspections. And if that’s the case, it would seem likely that smaller construction sites are increasingly going to be on the HSE inspectors’ hit list, as the proportion of fatalities on smaller sites rose from 67% of the total to 75%.

While a visit from an HSE inspector might be the last thing you want on a busy site, it is clear that the UK’s approach to the issue is paying off. The UK is the safest country in Europe in which to work, with Portugal, Spain and Austria the worst.

There is still work to do in driving down fatal accidents. In an ideal world, the target would be zero, but that’s an inherently difficult thing in an industry where accidents can, and do happen.

Construction will always involve risk, but in an age when we are seemingly often berated for not doing enough, it’s good to know that at least we are leading Europe in making work a safer place for everyone.

Emma Penny, editor, Contract Journal, 23 August 2006 [p 44]