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Casualisation 'is killing construction workers'
Construction union UCATT has warned that increasing casualisation in the industry is killing site workers. Speaking after six workers were injured this week in a Belfast building collapse, four seriously, UCATT regional organiser Michael Kiddle said: 'This latest accident underlines just how dangerous the construction industry remains. Casualisation is literally killing construction workers. The recent death toll is a stain on the industry.' Witnesses said some workers fell about 30ft and had to be pulled free from steel girders, scaffolding and rubble in the incident during the construction of a six storey block. The Health and Safety Executive is investigating. UCATT officials report that private sector developments have become increasingly casualised in recent years, a move that has reduced the number of independent union safety reps and led to corners being cut on health and safety. The union says private sites compare poorly with the public sector in Northern Ireland, where the Northern Ireland Executive has introduced health and safety clauses into public sector contracts. UCATT says these contract compliance measures have led to a halving of fatalities on public sector projects.
Briefing document (200 words) issued 14 Mar 2008
