Cuts could prove lethal, warns UCATT

Construction union UCATT has warned that Government cuts in construction safety could prove lethal. The union issued the warning following a series of intensive inspections by the Health and Safety Executive in Merseyside, revealed that one in four sites were unsafe.

The HSE visited 88 sites in Merseyside over a two day period earlier this month. In total 21 of the sites visited, failed to meet health and safety standards. The most common problem on the sites was unsafe working at height.

The number of safety failures is similar to previous similar exercises in other parts of the country.

There are question marks about how frequently the HSE will be able to mount similar operations in the future, due to the organisation facing cuts of at least 34% in their budget, over the next four years.

The position is made even bleaker, as the construction industry is only in the early stages of recovering from recession. History demonstrates that as workloads increase dangerous working practices rise, leading to an increase in the number of workers being killed.

George Guy, Regional Secretary for the North West Region of UCATT, said: “The level of danger faced by construction workers is deeply alarming. The number of dangerous sites that the HSE uncovered is just a drop in the ocean. A zero tolerance approach must be taken in respect of dangerous sites, as each one could potentially lead to a construction worker being killed or injured.”

Last year (2009/10) 42 construction workers were killed at work, the figure was a record low and was as a result of a drop in work being undertaken in the industry due to the recession and the remaining work being undertaken at a more sensible pace. The most frequent cause of fatalities were falls which accounted for 25 of the 42 deaths.

Indications show that construction deaths are likely to increase during the current reporting year (2010/11).

Mr Guy, added: “The HSE are doing a difficult job with limited resources. The only way that deaths and injuries will decrease is if there are more inspections and a greater number of companies which ignore safety laws are prosecuted. Any reduction in enforcement activity at this time will be deadly.”