HSE reveals 2006/07 construction death figures

Deaths in the construction industry rose by 28% from 60 to 77 in 2006/2007, according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures released today.

The increase on last year’s figure bucks a downward fifteen-year trend that has seen an average 3.9% drop in the number of deaths per year.

The rise in construction deaths last year mirrors the overall trend, which saw fatalities across all industries increase from 217 to 241.

HSE chairman Sir Bill Callaghan said: “It is disappointing to see that the overall number of deaths has risen. We have worked hard with the industry and trade unions over the past few months to bring the number down.”

The 77 fatal injuries, equivalent to a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 workers, comprises 50 employees and 27 self-employed construction workers.

The main occupations of construction workers fatally injured are ‘skilled construction and building trades’ (38); labourers in building and construction (14); construction operatives, e.g. scaffolders (10); managers in construction (3); ‘other’ occupations (12).

There were 23 fatal injuries due to falling from a height. Of the 23 deaths, 19 were as a result of falling from a height of more than 2m. There were 16 fatalities due to being hit by a moving or falling object, and 10 from contact with electricity.

Overall in 2006/07, construction deaths accounted for 32% of worker fatalities across all industries. Based on an average of the past five years, construction fatalities have accounted for around 30% of all worker deaths.