High profile people from across the sector came together at a recent Construction Industry Strategic Response Forum meeting set up by the Construction Specialist Group (SG) at the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).

The IOSH called for action from industry and government following the sharp rise in construction industry deaths to the highest level for five years, according to latest figures recently released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

In the year 2006/2007, the industry recorded 77 fatalities compared to 60 in the previous year, an increase of 28 per cent. The death rate also showed a marked increase to 3.7 from 3.0 deaths per 1,000 workers last year.

The latest figures were last exceeded five years ago, during the year 2001/2002, when 80 workers were killed.

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Overall workplace deaths rose to 241 for the year 2006/2007 against 217 in the previous year, with the construction industry contributing the most to this increase.

John Lacey, the chair of the IOSH Construction SG, said: "This increase is absolutely appalling. It is essential that a health and safety culture is adopted in all sections of the construction industry, and more effort made to eliminate unsafe working practices.

"I’m particularly concerned that it’s the same old causes that are killing people. Falls from height are still the biggest killer, but being struck by a moving or falling object has claimed 19 lives this year and that’s a real worry. Each death is an avoidable tragedy for the individual, their families and friends."

Mr Lacey added: "Deaths and injuries also have a financial impact on employers, not just in terms of fines and the cost of disruption, but also reputational damage to their business.

"It is vital that the construction industry place health and safety at the top of their agenda. This means ensuring people are adequately trained in health and safety, and safe practice is implemented throughout the organisation.

"To help enable a culture of safety to thrive, we believe professional, practical health and safety advice is needed at board level. Competent advice on site with workers fully involved with safe working practices will also help to stem the flow of fatal and major injury incidents occurring."

(LC)