The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is being urged to take action following new evidence on migrant construction worker deaths in London.

An investigation carried out by construction union UCATT discovered that in 2014/15 the highest number of industry deaths was in London, with seven fatalities.

Of these seven deaths, five were migrant workers (71%).

It is understood UCATT discovered the evidence by analysing and researching the names of the deceased workers, as the HSE does not record the nationality of workers who are killed in an accident.


Jerry Swain, Regional UCATT Secretary for London and the South East, called each of the deaths "an individual tragedy".

"It is essential that issues such as different safety standards and methods of working in countries, language issues and whether the deceased were new to the construction industry are properly considered in order to prevent future fatalities," he said.

"This is simply not going to happen if the HSE continues to fail to address and record the nationality of workers who suffer a fatal accident."

UCATT has now called for a reform of the CSCS health and safety test, suggesting a one day safety course on site for workers rather than a tick box exercise.

Mr Swain added: "A proper safety course with a thorough assessment of a worker’s understanding of safety must be the minimum requirement before they go on site."

(LM/MH)