MPs call for better safety in construction industry

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) should do more to reduce the toll of construction-site injuries.

"The UK construction industry has a better health and safety record than other EU countries," PAC chair Edward Leigh said. "But the industry's record is still worse than in any other UK sector and accounts for one in three fatalities from workplace accidents."

Describing the 70 deaths and thousands of injuries among construction workers every year as "unacceptable", the PAC recommended higher penalties and called on the HSE to change its inspection regime to include more unannounced visits.

It also suggested the HSE seek direction from the new sentencing adviser panel on framing a guideline for health and safety offences: "Breaches of health and safety regulations are serious criminal offences and legislation provides for penalties, including unlimited fines in some circumstances."

The PAC report can be downloaded from www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/cmpubacc/627/62702.htm