New figures have revealed 43 construction workers were killed in work-related accidents during 2015/16.

In an annual report published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), statistics show there was a fatal injury rate of 1.94 per 100,000 workers, a slight decline compared to a five-year average of 2.04.

However, the total number of deaths has risen sharply from 35 in 2014/15. Overall, 144 people were killed in work-related fatal accidents across all sectors.

While the figures confirm the UK is one of the safest places to work, HSE Chair Martin Temple said one death at work is "one too many".

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"Britain has one of the best health and safety systems in the world, but we should always be looking to improve and to prevent incidents that cost lives," he said.

"This year HSE travelled the country asking industry representatives, employers, unions, workers and others what they could do to help GB work well. The response was hugely encouraging and I would like to ask people to deliver on the commitments made, that will help keep Britain’s workers alive."

However, union UCATT has accused the HSE of "burying bad news" for releasing fatality figures on the same day of the Chilcot Report.

Acting General Secretary, Brian Rye, said: "This is clearly a case of burying bad news. At a time when we have huge amounts of political turmoil and the Chilcot Report finally being published, the HSE decided to publish the latest fatality figures. They have effectively brushed them under the carpet. They could and should have waited just a single day."

(LM/CD)