Construction union UCATT have warned that the Government's announcement that they are going to cut red tape for small businesses risks construction workers safety.

As part of the Government's proposals workers with companies which employ under 250 staff (the vast majority of the construction industry) will no longer even have the right to request training. This could include safety training and specialist areas such as asbestos awareness courses.

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The decision is particularly alarming for the construction industry, due to the fact that as the industry begins to recover from the recession an increasing number of new inexperienced workers will be recruited. Without proper training they could place themselves or their colleagues at risk.

A UCATT spokesperson, said: "The announcement has very serious implications for the construction industry. As the industry recovers from recession there are genuine concerns that fatalities and injuries will increase. If companies make short-term knee jerk decisions and high levels of safety training is not provided to new entrants, those dangers will increase."

UCATT also fear that the block on training will increase the severe skills shortages which already exist in the construction industry, as companies will deny workers the opportunity to improve and certify their skills.

(CD/KMcA)