Construction union UCATT are to hold a vigil following the recent death of a construction worker.

Mr Altin Balla lost his fight for life last week following a major accident on 29 August while working on the Marriotts Close, Shopping Centre Development in Witney, Oxfordshire.

It is understood that Mr Balla was crushed and trapped by steel girders while operating a cherry picker.

UCATT activists, local trade unionists and representatives from the Construction Safety Campaign will gather at 12pm on Tuesday 9 September outside the site in Marriotts Way Witney, to hold a vigil and stage a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for Mr Balla.


Last year (2007/8) 72 people were killed on construction sites. In (2006/7) the figure was 79. Due to pressure from UCATT's leadership the Government is committed to hold an independent inquiry into the high number of fatalities in the construction industry.

Jerry Swain, UCATT Regional Secretary for London and the South East region, said: "Our deepest sympathies go to Mr Balla's family. This tragedy yet again underlines the high number of deaths in the construction industry. It is essential we remember those killed at work in order to highlight the need to improve safety standards on all sites."

(CD/JM)