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Disturbing" Increase In Construction Deaths To Be Discussed In A Government Forum

Date of article:  17/08/2007

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A forum between unions, employers and other construction groups is to be held next month (September 2007) as part of a government drive to tackle the increasing number of deaths in the industry.

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says he will bring together all sides of the building sector on 17 September 2007 to discuss ways of improving safety:

"The jump in construction sitefatalities is as disturbing as it is unacceptable and we must get to the bottom of why this is happening. I have now obtained the agreement of all major construction employers' organisations, the Health and Safety Commission and the main trade unions to meet in a forum

"I am asking them all to work together with me to identify the reason for the rise in deaths and to hammer out together an urgent action plan to reverse it. With three million new homes planned following the Prime Minister's announcement and construction booming with record public investment, it is vital that we tackle this problem now."

Construction deaths reached a five year high of 77 in the past 12 months. There has also been an increase of 28% in the past year alone three fatalities have been reported in the past few days alone.

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