Construction Fatalities Fall by 50%, Says HSE
Construction workplace fatalities are down from 50% in the first quarter of 2018/19 year, compared to statistics from the same time last year.
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that twenty seven workers and thirteen members of the public died in workplace accidents across all sectors.
In total, five construction workers were killed on site – 18% of all workplace deaths in the first quarter.
The same period last year saw construction workers comprise 36% of total workplace deaths.
Falls from height are the main cause of workplace deaths, accounting for 24% of all accidents. Being struck by a vehicle takes second place as the most common cause of deaths.
The statistics do not include deaths caused by “natural causes”, such as heart attacks or strokes – unless they have been brought on by accident-related trauma.
Construction deaths hit a record high in 1989, when 154 workers were killed.
Comparing 2018/19 to 1989 yields a 75% drop in fatalities.