Aug 2 2005
Statistics released yesterday by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show the total number of fatal injuries to workers in construction for this year is 72, a small increase on 71 workers in 2003/04. However, due to a continued rise in employment, the fatal injury rate has fallen by 3% to 3.48 per 100,000 workers, continuing the downward trend of the past four years. This is the lowest level seen on record.
Rosi Edwards, acting Chief Inspector for Construction said: "We can take some encouragement from the continuing decrease in the rate of fatalities, but the fact remains that 72 workers were killed in incidents, most of which could have been prevented with sensible risk control. This is unacceptably high, every fatality is one too many."
"Falls from a height account for 28 of the 72 fatalities, a welcome reduction from last year. None of these falls need have happened, simple measures could have prevented them."
"HSE will continue to work with the industry to gain improvements in the management of health and safety in order to reduce deaths, injuries and ill-health caused by work. HSE will continue to support the Strategic Forum for Construction which is taking forward the actions agreed at the Construction Summit in February this year. It is only by the industry showing leadership, working in partnership and taking ownership of the management of risk that improvements will be made."