Building deaths up despite downturn

Construction fatalities are highest in Eastern England, London, Yorkshire, the North West and the Midlands — so shows analysis of recent statistics by construction union UCATT.

The union’s examination of official health and safety statistics for the period 2010-2011 revealed that, while the overall level of workplace fatalities across all industries remained roughly static in the latest period, the incidence of deaths in the construction industry significantly worsened.

There were 50 deaths in the construction industry, which on a simplistic comparison represents an increase of 22% on the previous 12-month period. However, this comparison ignores the fact that the level of construction activity in the sector has been subdued because of the economic downturn. George Guy, acting general secretary of UCATT, said: “The steep rise in construction fatalities is deeply troubling especially given that there has been no obvious recovery in the construction industry.”

Breaking the stats down into regions, Eastern England suffered an increase from three to 10 deaths, London saw a rise from five to eight, Wales and the South West saw deaths double from two to four and Yorkshire’s tally rose from six to seven. Scotland saw the biggest improvement — down from three deaths to one.