Europe's largest professional occupational health and safety body, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and MPs are demanding urgent action over construction industry safety following a report by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that shows almost a quarter of sites inspected put the lives of workers at risk.

In the South East, 173 sites were visited by the HSE resulting in enforcement action in 33 cases – halting work immediately. Seven other notices were served requiring action on electrical matters, transport on site and trenches.

Stephen Williams, head of construction at the HSE, said: "Our inspectors were appalled at the apparent willingness to ignore basic safety precautions. It is completely unacceptable that so many lives have been put at risk."

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Construction deaths last year leaped from 60 to 77, a staggering 28 per cent. In response, Work and Pensions Secretary, Peter Hain, held talks on construction industry safety last Monday September 17, involving unions, employers and various health and safety bodies, including a representative from IOSH’s construction industry specialist group.

Richard Jones, Technical Director of IOSH said: "The increase in construction industry deaths is horrific, involving not only a personal tragedy for the victim, but also misery for their families and friends. This together with the deeply worrying report on site safety from the HSE shows that it is glaringly apparent that health and safety is far from the top of the agenda particularly in residential refurbishment, repair and maintenance sectors of the industry, and this must change.

"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. However, each death is avoidable.

"Furthermore, there is a need for more qualified health and safety advice at board level. Organisations with poor safety face the risk of disruption/delays, punitive fines and destruction of their reputations. Access to health and safety expertise is essential for construction companies to avoid these risks."

(CL)