Detailed analysis by construction union UCATT has revealed that construction fatalities were highest in 2009/10 in the Midlands, North West, South East and Yorkshire.

Overall the number of construction deaths overall fell last year, with 42 workers being killed at work compared to 53 in 2008/9. The reduction in deaths was primarily due to fewer people working in the industry and a reduction in work pressures, as a result of the recession, rather than any significant improvements in safety.

Despite the substantial overall fall in deaths some regions witnessed an increase in deaths. The sharpest increase was in the Midlands where deaths increased from 1 to 7, there was also an increase in the North West where deaths rose from 5 to 6.

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In Yorkshire and the South East the number of deaths in 2009/10 remained the same as in 2008/9 with 6 workers being killed in both regions.

The most likely cause of death remains falls and despite the overall number of workers being killed at reducing, the number killed by falls increased. In 2008/9, 21 workers were killed in falls and in 2009/10 that figure increased to 25, a 19% increase. The number of people killed by being hit by a moving vehicle also increased with 5 deaths in 2009/10 compared to 4 in 2008/9.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "The reduction of deaths is significant. However these figures reveal that loss of life in construction remains too common. The vast majority of these deaths were eminently preventable and everyone involved in the industry needs to work harder to ensure that fatalities are reduced."

(CD)