Construction industry most fatal to work in

Research into government statistics from the Health &
Safety Executive (HSE), conducted by the Yorkshire-based personal injury
solicitors, shows that 31.5% of fatal injuries occurred within the
construction sector between 2013 and 2014, which is the highest number of all
the industrial sectors. Agriculture had the second highest fatalities,
accounting for 20.3%, while waste and recycling accounted for just 3%.

New data released in July 2015 indicates that construction
companies could be investing more money into health and safety measures.
Construction, along with agriculture, was one of the industries with a below
average number of companies with a dedicated ‘health and safety measures’
budget according to theUK results from
European Survey of the Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks 2014.

When asked what the major issues where for establishments
addressing health and safety, the most popular response, (almost 30% of
respondents) was ‘complexity of legal obligations’.

Jack Ferraro, head of Sure Claim’s Work Accidents
Department, says: “It’s not surprising that the construction industry has been
highlighted as the most fatal place of work. There are many different types of
work carried out on a construction site, meaning there are many more hazards
that can cause injury to workers. This means it can be more difficult for
construction companies to fulfil their legal duty of keeping employees safe by reducing
potential risks. However, construction companies should look to invest more
into their annual health and safety budget to keep their employees safe.”

Of those fatally injured in the construction industry, 45%
were killed by a fall, with the sector being responsible for almost half of all
the UK’s fatal falls (19 out of 39) between 2013 and 2014. This is a
significant difference when compared to other industries with a high number of
fatal fall injuries – agriculture had six, admin and support had five and
manufacturing accounted for four.

Jack continues: “Although the amount of fatal injuries
across all industries has decreased, the amount of overall fatalities due to a
fall has worryingly remained steady. This highlights a clear area of concern
for companies, particularly those in the construction industry, when it comes
to health and safety.”

Sure Claim recommends that employers keep up to date with
risk assessments, take precautions where a risk of injury is identified, ensure
that all equipment is well maintained and in good, working condition and make
sure all employees are fully trained in the risks relating to their particular
job including, where applicable, working from a height.

Sure Claim is a specialist in providing those injured at
work with comprehensive legal advice. The personal injury solicitors have over
50 years of experience in helping clients who have suffered due to accidents at
work, as well as medical negligence and accidents on the road, in a public
place or while on holiday.