Work deaths total 124 in six months

The statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) showed that 124 workers died in the six month period. If the trend was to continue then it would push the fatalities figure to a five year high of 248 deaths, up 17% on last year.

The GMB union said 37 construction workers were killed in the six months, compared with 59 the previous year. Members of the public killed in construction-related accidents equalled the previous year's total of five, said the union.

Trade union Prospect has linked the rise in deaths to cuts in resources available to the HSE. The number of HSE inspections, improvement and prohibition notices notices, safety prosecutions and convictions and inspector contact time have all dropped markedly in recent years, it claimed.