Construction statistics 2005/06(p) - falls down, trips up

Statistics released by the HSE for 2005/06 show a continuing overall reduction in the rate of fatal and major injuries in the construction industry.

There has been good progress towards the all industry Revitalising targets of 2000 and there are encouraging signs that the industry has taken ownership of its health and safety performance and worked hard to achieve the lowest incidence rates ever, although the industry is still falling short of its own ambitious targets set at the 2001 Construction Summit.

Construction injury rates since 1999/2000

There has been very good progress in reducing injuries due to falls which has traditionally been one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries. However, slips and trips and manual handling injuries are increasing. In 2005/06 there were 981 major injuries caused by slips, trips or falls on the same level.

Most of those accidents could be easily avoided by effective management of good order issues on sites. In particular sites need to be kept tidy, which is hard work and requires persistence. There needs to be more focus on these areas, while maintaining the progress on falls from height.

Number of major injuries to employees in Construction by kind of accident, 1996/97 – 2005/06(p)

More information

• 'Watch your Step in the construction industry’ – advice on preventing slips and trips
• Fit Out campaign 2005 – information on low falls and good order at construction projects that are approaching completion.
• Healthy Handling – advice on the prevention of manual handling incidents
• Better Backs – information and advice on reducing back pain
• Height Aware Campaign 2006 - helping people identify when they are working at height and where they may be at risk of falling.