Industry aims to cut work-related deaths

The building sector is looking to reduce the number of work-related deaths by up to ten per cent each year, it has been announced.

Under the joint industry-government Strategy for Sustainable Construction, the sector is hoping to cut the number of people killed in the workplace as well as improve efficiency and sustainability in the construction business.

The strategy aims to do this by increasing the number of trained workers and extending apprenticeship provision.

Business minister Shriti Vadera believes the strategy will provide vital guidelines for the industry to follow.

"This strategy, which has uniquely been developed jointly by government and business, will provide greater certainty over what is expected from the sector in future, from training and developing skills to tackling the challenges of climate change," he said.

According to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive, there were 69 construction fatalities for 2007/8, ten per cent lower than the previous year's total.