Analysis by construction union UCATT has discovered that six construction workers were killed in the week that the Government announced it was slashing funding to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by 35%.

With fears growing that the cuts will mean that frontline inspectors will be reduced and the recovery in construction resulting in inexperienced companies and workers entering the industry, deaths are likely to increase.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "Every one of these deaths was an individual tragedy. Each death underlines the dangers faced by construction workers. Sadly these risks will increase if the already low levels of inspections and enforcement activities are reduced."

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As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review on October 20th, the Department for Work and Pensions announced that the HSE's funding would be cut by 35% by 2015.

The recent deaths coincided with Conservative MP Christopher Chope tabling a series of Private Members Bill which would, if passed, implement many of the more controversial proposals in Lord Young's recent health and safety review.

Of major concern to UCATT is the Private Members Bill which would loosen the rules about reporting accidents under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Research by Liverpool University has found that just 32% of reportable injuries of employees and 12% of reportable injuries suffered by the self-employed were recorded under RIDDOR.

Mr Ritchie, added: "At a time when it is clear that increased vigilance is necessary to ensure safety, the Conservatives are proposing to weaken the existing laws. The problem is that accidents are not being reported. Weakening the rules will make the problem worse and will further increase the danger faced by workers."

(CD/GK)