Provisional figures of work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 228 workers lost their lives as a result of accidents/incidents at work in 2007/08 compared to 247 workers in 2006/07.

The report also shows a slight increase in the number of workers killed in the agriculture sector, from 36 in 2006/07 to 39 in 2007/08, and a slight decrease in the construction sector, from 79 in 2006/07 to 72 in 2007/08.

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt said: "Whilst we welcome the headline decrease in overall numbers of fatalities, there is absolutely no room for complacency as the report suggests a plateau in the overall five year trend. Great Britain's position amongst major European Union countries is in relative terms a creditable one, but none can find it acceptable that 228 people died directly as a cause of their work. After many years of improvement, it is disappointing that we are on a performance plateau. This stresses the need for everyone, employers and employees alike to make a further effort to reduce this total of human misery."

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However, Construction union UCATT have said that the annual workplace fatality figures "make grim reading and should serve as a wake up call to the construction industry and the HSE".

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "Every one of these deaths is an individual tragedy for a family who has lost a loved one. Most of these deaths were entirely preventable. Unfortunately too many people in the construction industry consider that deaths and serious injuries are almost an occupational hazard.

"It is quite clear that the HSE should be taking a far more rigorous approach to inspections, enforcements and prosecutions. The HSE's laissez faire attitude and belief in self-regulation has been an abject failure."

(CD/JM)