Action Plan To Combat Construction Site Deaths

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Peter Hain has stated his commitment to reducing the number of deaths in construction in an address to the Trades Union Congress yesterday.

Hain has promised to produce an action plan to combat site deaths, an called for a 'safety forum' involving employers, trade unions and other organisations.

"On Monday I have called the construction industry, the Health and Safety Commission and the main trade unions to a special forum. This must not be a talking shop. It must deliver an urgent action plan to reverse the macabre toll of rising death and injury in construction. I will not tolerate a continued increase in construction deaths," Hain said.

The number of fatalities in construction in 2006/07 was 77 ,the highest total for five years.