Construction Information Sheets

European Health and Safety Week 2004

As part of its commitment to European Health and Safety Week the TUC has produced a number of information sheets on construction issues.

• Asbestos (click here)
• Electrical safety (click here)
• Falls from heights (click here)
• Vehicle safety (click here)
• Vibration white finger (click here)
• Welfare provision (click here)

Construction is one of the most important sectors in Britain. It also has the worst safety record of any major industry.

Workers in construction represent around 6% of the workforce, but account for more than 30% of fatalities.

They are 5 times more likely to be killed and twice as likely to be suffering from ill health than the average worker.

Every year 600 current or former construction workers die from asbestos related diseases.

Yet research shows that workplaces with union safety representatives are safer than those without, so if you are a worker in construction, and you are not in a trade union then join the hundreds of thousands of workers in the industry who are already members. Call the TUC Know your rights line on 0870 600 4 882 or click here Unionfinder

Fact sheet (200 words) issued 27 Sep 2004