Approximately 196 fatal accidents have taken place in the construction industry over the past five years, according to a new Direct Line for Business survey.

Published today, 22 November, the survey covers 2012-2017 and reports a further 26,196 non-fatal accidents in the industry. Slips, trips and falls accounted for 28% of the total number of accidents.

It also found that the number of prosecutions taken by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has fallen by 16% from 2015/16 to 2016/17.

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Construction union Unite has called for the increased safety of employees.

Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail, said: "Each and every one of these accidents will have a profound effect on the worker involved. With regards to the large number of tragic fatal accidents; families will have been left devastated when a loved one went to work one day and never came home again.

"What this research demonstrates is that far too many employers are playing fast and loose with safety laws, resulting in workers being needlessly injured at work.

"The sharp decrease in HSE prosecutions is deeply troubling. The best deterrent against unscrupulous employers cutting safety is the fear that they will be caught and prosecuted."

(CM/MH)