Progress to tackle construction deaths welcomed

Progress to tackle construction deaths welcomed

Prospect, the union that represents 1,700 inspectors, scientists and other professionals in the Health and Safety Executive, has welcomed an announcement from Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, regarding the creation of an industry-wide forum to target the rising number of construction deaths.



It follows calls from Prospect, construction union UCATT and Michael Clapham MP, chair of the all-party parliamentary group on occupational health and safety, for urgent action on construction deaths.

Prospect negotiator Mike Macdonald said: "Peter Hain’s unambiguous condemnation of a rise in accident rates is welcome. Prospect fully supports this initiative to pool experience, skills and ideas to reduce an utterly unacceptable death rate in construction.

"Our members who devise construction policy, advise employers, inspect sites and enforce the law are appalled by the rise in fatal accidents and we will do what is required to protect construction workers."

Prospect is also calling for the DWP to address four points previously raised by Michael Clapham. "In particular," said Macdonald, "the department needs to increase the number of staff in HSE so it can meet its aspiration to increase the level of enforcement. In a civilised society, we should not be cutting the number of professional staff at HSE promoting construction safety when death rates are rising."