A detailed breakdown of construction deaths for 2008/9 has revealed that the number of self-employed construction workers killed at work actually increased despite the overall number of deaths having significantly declined.

Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain, in 2008/9 53 construction workers were killed, a reduction of 26% on the previous year 2007/8 when 72 construction workers were killed.

Figures supplied by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) showed the number of self-employed workers killed increased from 19 to 20 a 5% increase, while the number of employees who were fatally injured decreased from 53 to 33.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of Construction Union UCATT, said: "It is important to remember that every one of these deaths is an individual tragedy, where a father, son or brother has not returned from work. UCATT has repeatedly argued that self-employed workers are at greater danger of being killed and injured at work. The latest figures underline this fact.:"

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The figures are further confused as some of the workers categorised as employees by the HSE were working under the Construction Industry Scheme. Most of these workers have all the employment characteristics of an employee but are considered to be self-employed for tax purposes. It is estimated there are 400,000 bogusly self-employed construction workers.

Mr Ritchie, added: "UCATT has long argued that resolving the issue of employment status is vital to tackling the high number of deaths in the construction industry. The self-employed and the bogus self-employed are more exposed to dangerous working practices, have no employment rights and are unlikely to be protected by independent safety reps. The HSE needs to recognise these facts and take appropriate action to better protect construction workers."

UCATT believes that the overall reduction in deaths is primarily due to the recession, which has resulted in a marked decline in construction output, resulting in thousands of construction workers losing their jobs.

(CD/BMcc)