Hain asks for co-operation over construction fatalities

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain will target deaths in the housebuilding and refurbishment sectors as part of a new safety forum between employers, trade unions and other organisations in construction announced today.

The announcement comes just one day before the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveals official figures on work-related fatal injuries for 2006/07.

Hain indicated that the forum, which will see a range of key industry figures attend, will take place in September. 

"Any rise in fatalities is not only shocking, it is completely unacceptable. It is vital that everyone involved in the construction industry puts health and safety first, everyone from clients to employers, designers to suppliers, large construction firms right down to the smallest builders," he said.

"We have a seen a significant rise in deaths within the housing and refurbishment sectors and I am calling together clients, contractors, trade unions, designers, suppliers and others for a special forum in September to try and crack the problems in these areas. I have also asked the HSE to redouble their efforts in driving improvements within the construction industry.

"With the Prime Minister's commitment to build 3 million new homes over the next few years and large scale developments such as the Olympics the industry and government must work together to do all we can to ensure the health and safety of construction workers is put first," he added.

Preliminary figures for 2006/07 showed that there were 79 deaths in construction, up from 59 in 2005/06.