Construction industry fatalities falling

Figures from The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the number of workers killed in construction in 2008/09 has fallen on the previous year.

The HSE data showed that 53 workers were killed in the past year which represents a fall of 26% on 2007/08 when 72 workers died.Four members of the public were also killed by construction-related activity in 2008/09.

But the rate of fatal injuries in the sector was 2.4 per 100,000, which still makes construction one of the most dangerous industries in which to work.However the rate was still lower than the average rate over the past five years of 3.4 per 100,0000.

In each of the last five years, the number of fatal injuries has been:
2007/08 – 72 workers died
2006/07 – 79 workers died
2005/06 – 60 workers died
2004/05 – 69 workers died
2003/04 – 71 workers died