Construction
| For more information on Construction click here for the relevant chapter of the TUC guide to health and safety "Hazards at Work |
Construction is one of Britain's biggest industries and one of its most dangerous.
In the last 25 years, 2,800 people have been killed on construction sites or as a result of construction activities. Many more have been injured or made ill. Each year it tops the work fatalities list, accounting for over a quarter of all workplace deaths. Annually, as many as 4,000 building workers may die from industrial disease and thousands are injured as a result of construction work.
Hazards faced by construction workers include: Asbestos; musculo-skeletal disorders; falls; slips and tips; noise. Diseases they face include: Dermatitis; asthma, and emphysema. Often work is sub-contracted, causing uncertainty as to who is responsible for safety. New legislation now insists that everyone has duties and responsibilities regarding health and safety, from the worker to each contractor, to the architect up to the top boss.
Specific pieces of legislation apply to the construction industry: The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 (CHSW) and The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (CDM).
Links:
HSE Construction pages http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/index.htm
Free HSE publications on construction http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/conindex.htm
Construction Safety Campaign: Contact Tony O'Brien, Secretary CSC. Email: construction.safetycampaign@canhe.fsnet.co.uk
Tel: 077 477 95954
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
Register must cover all cranes
UCATT is calling for the creation of a 'full comprehensive crane register' to improve safety standards.
PDF version available for download
16 October 2009
Lobbyist defends deadly construction practice
The 'disgraceful and outrageous' comments on safety made by a construction industry leader have been condemned by the chair of a government committee and trade unions.
PDF version available for download
17 July 2009
Unions back construction deaths report
Unless the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is provided additional resources, the recommendations of an official inquiry into construction fatalities will be 'meaningless', the inspectors' union has warned.
PDF version available for download
17 July 2009
Government must act on deaths report
Campaigners and unions have said the governmnet must act promptly to implement the recommendations of the Donaghy inquiry into construction industry fatalities.
PDF version available for download
10 July 2009
Moves to outlaw blacklisting by bosses
The government has launched a consultation on new regulations that will make it unlawful for trade union members to be denied employment through secret blacklists.
PDF version available for download
10 July 2009
New legal duty should help prevent construction deaths says TUC
The TUC today (Tuesday) welcomed the publication of a Government inquiry into fatalities in construction, which recommends the introduction of a new legal duty for directors that would ensure good health and safety management.
Commenting on the inquiry, One Death Too Many which was conducted by Rita Donaghy, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
“This is a strong endorsement of the arguments that the TUC and unions have been making for many years. There is an undeniable case for a change in the law to ensure that directors ensure good health and safety practice through a framework of planning, delivery, monitoring and reviewing.
8 July 2009
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