Developer Berkeley has launched a new £2 million Innovation Fund which challenges individuals and inventors, as well as companies and universities, to come up with ideas that change the way people think and work in construction.

42 people lost their lives on building sites in England in 2013 and over 5,000 were seriously injured.

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"The sheer volume of work going on is testing the industry," said Rob Perrins, Managing Director of the Berkeley Group. "Companies and staff are running flat out to gear up production and tackle the housing crisis."

"The industry is having to work with less experienced people, in multiple languages, with plant and equipment in high demand. That generates fresh hazards in a business that is inherently risky."

"Fundamentally, I don't believe this is a problem you can solve directly with money. It demands fresh ideas, which is where this Innovation Fund comes in."

Berkeley's Innovation Fund will make grants of between £250 and £250,000 over the next two years.

(CD/MH)