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Attention: industrial, construction and health and safety correspondents

UK building sites still danger zones for workers

The TUC is encouraging by the results of the Construction Industry’s Key Performance Indicators, announced today (Tuesday) by the Department of Trade and Industry and Constructing Excellence but believes the industry has much to do improve its record on health and safety.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary, said:

'UK building sites are still danger zones for workers. Eighty-five people were killed last year in construction and over 4,860 people were seriously injured. This does not include the thousands more who end their working lives in pain caused by chronic back-injuries, respiratory or dermatological problems and other work related ill-health problems.

'The KPI on Respect for People clearly shows that the companies which employ their operatives directly out-perform companies which continue to use so called self-employed, agency and other forms of contracted labour. Unfortunately the companies employing directly are in the minority. Only by construction companies taking full responsibility for the people they employ, providing proper welfare facilities and ensuring their safety on site will the UK construction industry become the world class industry it purports to be.'

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Press release (300 words) issued 3 Jun 2003