UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
10/08/2007
IOSH’s Call For Action Over Sharp Rise In Construction Deaths
High profile people from across the sector came together at a recent Construction Industry Strategic Response Forum meeting set up by the Construction Specialist Group (SG) at the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
The IOSH called for action from industry and government following the sharp rise in construction industry deaths to the highest level for five years, according to latest figures recently released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In the year 2006/2007, the industry recorded 77 fatalities compared to 60 in the previous year, an increase of 28 per cent. The death rate also showed a marked increase to 3.7 from 3.0 deaths per 1,000 workers last year.
The latest figures were last exceeded five years ago, during the year 2001/2002, when 80 workers were killed.
Overall workplace deaths rose to 241 for the year 2006/2007 against 217 in the previous year, with the construction industry contributing the most to this increase.
John Lacey, the chair of the IOSH Construction SG, said: "This increase is absolutely appalling. It is essential that a health and safety culture is adopted in all sections of the construction industry, and more effort made to eliminate unsafe working practices.
"I’m particularly concerned that it’s the same old causes that are killing people. Falls from height are still the biggest killer, but being struck by a moving or falling object has claimed 19 lives this year and that’s a real worry. Each death is an avoidable tragedy for the individual, their families and friends."
Mr Lacey added: "Deaths and injuries also have a financial impact on employers, not just in terms of fines and the cost of disruption, but also reputational damage to their business.
"It is vital that the construction industry place health and safety at the top of their agenda. This means ensuring people are adequately trained in health and safety, and safe practice is implemented throughout the organisation.
"To help enable a culture of safety to thrive, we believe professional, practical health and safety advice is needed at board level. Competent advice on site with workers fully involved with safe working practices will also help to stem the flow of fatal and major injury incidents occurring."
(LC)
The IOSH called for action from industry and government following the sharp rise in construction industry deaths to the highest level for five years, according to latest figures recently released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
In the year 2006/2007, the industry recorded 77 fatalities compared to 60 in the previous year, an increase of 28 per cent. The death rate also showed a marked increase to 3.7 from 3.0 deaths per 1,000 workers last year.
The latest figures were last exceeded five years ago, during the year 2001/2002, when 80 workers were killed.
-- Advertisement --
Overall workplace deaths rose to 241 for the year 2006/2007 against 217 in the previous year, with the construction industry contributing the most to this increase.
John Lacey, the chair of the IOSH Construction SG, said: "This increase is absolutely appalling. It is essential that a health and safety culture is adopted in all sections of the construction industry, and more effort made to eliminate unsafe working practices.
"I’m particularly concerned that it’s the same old causes that are killing people. Falls from height are still the biggest killer, but being struck by a moving or falling object has claimed 19 lives this year and that’s a real worry. Each death is an avoidable tragedy for the individual, their families and friends."
Mr Lacey added: "Deaths and injuries also have a financial impact on employers, not just in terms of fines and the cost of disruption, but also reputational damage to their business.
"It is vital that the construction industry place health and safety at the top of their agenda. This means ensuring people are adequately trained in health and safety, and safe practice is implemented throughout the organisation.
"To help enable a culture of safety to thrive, we believe professional, practical health and safety advice is needed at board level. Competent advice on site with workers fully involved with safe working practices will also help to stem the flow of fatal and major injury incidents occurring."
(LC)
Latest Construction News
29/01/2025
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £43 million contract to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse's flagship regeneration scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The project, known as Upper Trinity Street, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.
Spanning 182,986 square feet, the re
29/01/2025
McLaren Construction has been appointed by O&H Properties to deliver the first phase of a £60 million Foster & Partners-designed development at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street in London’s West End.
The seven-storey, 5,400 square metre prime retail and office scheme will feature ret
29/01/2025
GMI Construction Group has been awarded a contract to develop three high-specification warehouse units totalling over 175,000 square feet at Precedent Drive, Milton Keynes.
The £20 million project, commissioned by DV5 Last Mile Developments (UK) Ltd, a joint venture between Coltham and Delancey Re
29/01/2025
Plans for 106 sustainable new homes in Southville, a neighbourhood in South Bristol, have been approved as the city seeks to increase housing delivery to address growing demand.
Top 10 award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group will create a £60 million development on Raleigh Road, on land that was
29/01/2025
Bouygues UK has reached a major milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London.
The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the 11-s
29/01/2025
Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a significant upgrade to the roof of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, one of London's most iconic cultural landmarks.
As part of the £12 million project, the company is installing over 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing above the museum’s
29/01/2025
Equans has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to carry out crucial decarbonisation work across the councils' housing stock, using funding secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The councils used the South East Consortium's Zero Carbon Framework to s
29/01/2025
In the world of construction, the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability is ever-evolving. Among the array of solutions available, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation stands out as a versatile and effective option for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings, particularly when used f
29/01/2025
BCP Council has completed significant coastal protection works at Hamworthy Park, ensuring its resilience against erosion for the next 20 years.
A 200-metre stretch of sea wall along the eastern promenade has been reinforced using low-carbon concrete, while new steps have been constructed to improv
29/01/2025
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has strengthened its team with a trio of recruits.
The multidisciplinary company's latest raft of hires comprises a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
The geo-environmental specialist, headquartered i
