Join SHP Online

Figures obtained by construction union UCATT show an increase in construction fatalities involving self-employed workers last year.

Out of the 49 construction deaths in 2011/12, 22 involved self-employed workers – 45 per cent of all fatalities in the sector.

In 2010/11, 18 self-employed construction workers died (36 per cent) out of a total of 50 industry deaths; the year before that, there were 12 self-employed worker deaths (29 per cent) out of 42 in total. In the last seven years, the previous highest number of construction deaths involving self-employed workers was in 2008/09, when 38 per cent of fatalities were self-employed workers.

UCATT said the figures could be underestimates, as it believes there is potential, on occasion, for self-employed workers to be recorded as employees, in order to improve the chance of a successful prosecution following a work-related death.

Steve Murphy, general secretary of UCATT, said: “This rise in deaths among self-employed workers is very worrying. Self-employed workers frequently work on sites where safety levels are lower and are therefore more vulnerable to suffering an accident, or injury.”

The Government is currently consulting on proposals to exempt certain sections of the self-employed workforce from health and safety legislation. Although the proposals do not include any exemption for self-employed construction workers, UCATT is concerned that the changes could be extended in the future, as part of the Government’s desire to cut red tape and perceived regulatory burdens.

Mr Murphy added: “Every one of these deaths was an individual tragedy, and many could easily have been prevented. Rather than cutting safety, the Government should be ensuring that existing laws are properly enforced.”

IOSH agreed that the rise in the number of self-employed construction-worker deaths is a concern, and warned that revocation of safety laws specific to the sector could have a further negative impact.

Richard Jones, head of policy and public affairs, said: “Construction is a vital, but dangerous industry, and recovery in this sector mustn’t cost more lives. The proposed revocation of the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations and exempting certain self-employed workers from health and safety law are both backward steps that could lead to confusion and more deaths.”