Construction to blame for a third of all workplace deaths

Construction accounts for 31% all fatal injuries in the workplace, according to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) statistics for 2007/08.

The data showed that although the number of deaths over the year fell slightly to 72, compared to 77 in 2006/07, construction still had the largest number of fatal injuries of any main industry group.

Meanwhile, the number of reported major injuries to employees rose slightly to 3,764, compared to 3,730 in 2006/07.

Reported over-three-day injuries also increased over the period, with 7,446 in 2007/08, compared to 7,161 in 2006/07.

The HSE said that the most common kinds of reported injuries to workers in all industries were as a result of handling or slips and trips.

It was a similar story in construction, where handling accounted for 29% of reported injuries and slips and trips accounted for 25%.

But construction also had a higher proportion of reported injuries caused by falls from height (15% compared to 5% across other industries); and moving or falling objects (16% in construction, compared to 12% in other industries). Contact with moving machinery was also marginally higher at 4%, compared to 3% in other industries.

Commenting on the figures, HSE chair Judith Hackitt warned that construction was still a "concern".

She added: "I am also concerned that slips and trips – which can have an enormous impact on peoples’ lives – are still not reducing. HSE is developing a new strategy that seeks to renew commitment from all those involved in health and safety to tackle these challenges and more.

"In the difficult and uncertain months ahead I urge employers not to take their eyes off the ball. Good business management will be vital and good health and safety management is an integral part of that. Health and safety contributes positively to competitiveness and should not be sacrificed in times of financial pressure."

And as the HSE launches a new campaign to warn tradesmen of the dangers of asbestos, there was confirmation that there are around 4,000 cancer deaths each year due to past exposure to asbestos across all industries.

In 2006 there were 111 deaths from asbestosis and 2,056 from mesothelioma. The HSE expects deaths from mesothelioma to peak at some point between current levels and 2,450 at some time before 2015.