Imtiaz Farookhi, Chief Executive of National House-Building Counci (NHBC) has welcomed the creation of a health and safety forum, chaired by Peter Hain, Work and Pensions Secretary.

However, Mr Farookhi stressed that it was important to separate fatalities in new build from those in the repair, refurbishment and maintenance sector, as grouping them together could hide "important differences between the two sectors".


He added: "NHBC has committed its support to Peter Hain and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in taking the work forward. We will be talking to the HSE, HBF and other trade associations to discuss both helping to capture more precise statistical data and consider ways NHBC can facilitate the effective promotion and dissemination of best practice guidance to the industry."

(CL)