Construction deaths fall from 77 to 69 for 2007/08 but still up on 2005/06 figure of 60, while ECA points to Zap scheme for reduced m&e injuries

Unvalidated figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that 69 construction workers were killed at work in 2007/08.

This is around 10% down on the previous year’s figures – 77 people died while working in 2006/07.

Despite this drop, the HSE warns the industry not to derive too much satisfaction from the figures. Numbers are still significantly higher than those recorded in 2005/06, when 60 deaths occurred within the industry.

The HSE’s chief inspector of construction, Stephen Williams, said: “While it is encouraging that these unvalidated figures suggest that there has been a drop in deaths in the industry, there is absolutely no room for complacency. It is totally unacceptable that, once again, a significant number of lives have been lost and continue to be put at risk on construction sites.

“The HSE will continue to take firm action against those who ignore safety precautions.”

Paul Reeve, health and safety officer for the ECA, said: “It’s an unacceptably high figure, but we’re not contributing to that part of the problem.

“Fatalities are not coming from the m&e sector. We’re working day and night to prevent accidents in our industry, and we’re succeeding.”

Reeve stressed that deaths elsewhere in the industry are extremely regrettable, and that the ECA is ready to work with other parts of the industry to reduce them.

He pointed out, however, that the fatalities are only “the tip of a very dangerous iceberg”.

The ECA is working towards reducing the number of injuries and near misses within the m&e sector by ensuring members improve risk reduction via assessment and method statements, and also through the Zap initiative.

Riddor reportable accident figures indicate that injuries across ECA firms have decreased dramatically. Sample data from 23 000 operatives indicates rates have halved since 2001, when Zap was launched.

“Training and awareness are important. The Zap programme has not gone away. It was a good invention, and it is obviously working,” said Reeve.

“There are not many people who have halved accidents in seven years.”

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor