Freeclaim Solicitors : Accidents on building sites set to increase due to HSE Funding cuts.

According to Baroness Donaghy, a former Labour advisor, construction site related deaths will increase due to health and safety funding cuts.

As building site related deaths have doubled recently in London, Donaghy has stated that the construction industry is sitting on a “ticking timebomb” as inexperienced workers are being recruited to work on some of London’s major building sites due to safety standards being ignored or lowered.

Since 2001, 760 workers have died in industrial accidents on UK building sites, with the number of site related deaths in London doubling.

Donaghy, author of the landmark report ‘One Death Too Many’ of March 2010 that called for more funding to allow the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to act as a regulator, has predicted that due to the 35% cut in the budget of the Health and Safety Executive, companies would cut corners thus leading to increased on-site accidents and deaths.

The reduction in unannounced workplace inspections has fallen by 7 per cent between 2011-12 and 2012-13 - according to a document requested from the construction workers’ union, Ucatt.

Steve Murphy, the general secretary of Ucatt, said: “I sincerely believe the construction industry is chaotic. And deaths on sites will tragically rise in the next year.”

This lack of health and safety regulation coupled with the increasing numbers of casual workers being employed could mean that companies will be less likely to adhere to stringent Health and Safety protocols, thus creating an unsafe environment for workers.

Donaghy warned that “If there is an upturn, as is obviously happening in London, there is a danger that skills have been lost during the recession, and people who are insufficiently skilled will be taken on. And that’s when the deaths and accidents will start taking place.”

Further adding: “I do believe that if the recession is ending, the number of accidents will increase. Is it a ticking timebomb? Possibly right, yes. There is a real danger, without a well-resourced HSE, that corners will be cut.”

Freeclaim Solicitors want to remind employers that they have a duty of care to ensure that workplace environments are safe and that risk assessments and safety checks are carried out regularly. Alastair Fernie, Managing Director, also warns, “Building sites in particular are fraught with danger and some of the most devastating accidents happen on or near such sites. Employers must manage hazards and risk and ensure workers are trained correctly.”

If you are injured at work, and the appropriate safety precautions and standards have not been met, you may be able to make an accident at work compensation claim. With over 25 years’ experience in accident at work claims, Freeclaim Solicitors can advise you on any work related injury, and to ascertain as to whether HSE guidelines have not been met.
Offering free, no obligation advice, the specialist work accident lawyers at Freeclaim Solicitors can help you on a no-win-no-fee basis. Visit www.freeclaim.co.uk or call Freeclaim on 0800 612 4472 today.

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