21 May 2004
Health and safety conditions in the UK's construction industry have improved slightly in recent years, but more should be done by the firms and government procurement agencies involved, auditors have reported.
A National Audit Office study, published on May 12, shows a 5% reduction in construction industry deaths and injuries since 2001, making the UK the second safest European Union member state. But it condemns some public sector bodies sponsoring construction work for focusing on the lowest price tender, not on issues such as whole-life costs, which take account of the health and safety of workers.
The study recommends that the Health and Safety Executive, which monitors the industry, should work more closely with the Office of Government Commerce and the Audit Commission to improve the process. In all, 71 construction workers were fatally injured at work between 2002 and 2003, while another 4,780 sustained major injuries.
The report also reveals that targets the construction industry set for itself at the 2001 health and safety summit for reducing deaths and injuries are 'unlikely to be met and can only be measured in part'.
NAO chief Sir John Bourn said further improvements in the health and safety performance in the industry were required.
PFmay2004
