Figures published by the Heath and Safety Executive show that work related deaths in the construction industry are taking a worrying climb.

The macabre results show there were 77 fatal injuries to construction workers in 2006/07 as apposed to 60 in the previous year. Of the 77 deaths, 50 were employees and 27 self-employed. Deaths in the self employed sector of the construction industry have taken the most startling leap, jumping from 14 during 2005/06.

A total of 241 workers were killed at work during the year, but the construction industry remains the most dangerous industrial sector to work in. Of the main industrial sectors, agriculture and construction have the highest rates of fatal injury, accounting for 46 per cent of fatal injuries to workers.

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The main occupations of construction workers fatally injured are 'skilled construction and building trades' of which 38 lost their lives.

Overall, the 15-year trend in the rate is generally downwards and shows an average decline of 3.9 per cent per year, but the latest figures are a worrying reminder that more can be done to protect the UK's work force.

Compared to the rest of the EU however, the UK numbers are better than most, in amongst the four lowest rates along with Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden. Portugal recorded the most work related deaths in the Union with almost a four times higher incidence rate for work related deaths than the UK.

Last year the industry was fined more than £13 million for flaunting health and safety laws.

(DW/JM)