Member Article

UK construction deaths highest in Yorkshire according to UCATT

Construction deaths were highest in Yorkshire last year with six workers suffering fatal injuries at work according to analysis by construction union UCATT.

In 2013/14 the number of construction workers killed at work rose to 42 from 39 the previous year.

Construction fatalities accounted for 32% of all workplace deaths in 2013/14 an increase of 6% on the previous year. Construction is by far the most dangerous industry in the UK.

The rate of fatalities per 100,000 workers was 1.98 this was an increase of.0.04 on the previous 12 months.

The figure of six fatalities in Yorkshire was the same as the previous year 2012/13.

The largest increase in fatalities were in the North West where deaths rose to five from two and the East Midlands where three workers were killed compared to no fatalities in in 2012/13.

The breakdown for fatalities in other regions was: Scotland 5 (2012/13 figure 5), North East 3 (1), West Midlands 1 (2), Eastern 2 (3), London 5 (8), South East 4 (4), South West 5 (5) and Wales 3 (3).

The most common form of fatal injury overwhelmingly remains falls from heights which resulted in 21 deaths (50 % of fatalities) in 2013/14.

Steve Murphy general secretary of UCATT, said: “It is important to remember that every single one of these fatalities was someone’s loved one, who went to work one day and did not come home.

“It is essential that construction injuries and deaths are not seen as a potential occupational hazard. The vast majority of deaths are entirely preventable.”

“The rise in fatalities is deeply alarming and came before most parts of the construction industry even began to recover from recession.

“Unless action is taken to ensure that employers who risk the safety of workers are identified and prosecuted, the number of deaths is likely to increase.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .