Union UCATT has slammed the number of Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors monitoring the UK construction industry.

A Freedom of Information Request by the organisation has revealed 132 individuals monitor the industry, a decrease of 141 in 2011/12.

The sector is one of the most dangerous industries to work in, with 35 worker fatalities in 2014/15.

Around 46% of the entire UK construction sector operates in London, the South East and the East of England. However, only 36 inspectors manage these regions compared to 48 in 2011/12.

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UCATT said it is "appalled" at the low number of inspectors, given that the industry is worth around £100 billion or 6.7% of GDP.

Acting General Secretary, Brian Rye, said: "There are several conclusions that can be drawn from these shocking figures. Either, the HSE has managed to breed a super-human species of health and safety inspector with powers beyond the range of us normal human beings or this is just a pitiful number of individuals with an impossible job?

"Maybe the UK construction industry is really the safest industry on the planet and doesn’t need much monitoring? If this were so, how come 35 people died at work in the construction industry last year?

"This union calls on the British Government to do its rightful duty and protect the hardworking citizens in the construction industry."

(LM/MH)