The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have warned that accident numbers may increase over the course of the year.
New preliminary statistics show that in the period, April -September of this year, at least 31 people have been killed in construction related accidents. These half-year estimates compare favourably with the figures for the same period last year. Nevertheless, the HSE warn that fatality numbers may be exacerbated as contractors cut corners in the current economic climate.
The Construction Safety Campaign Group's Secretary, Tony O'Brien, agreed that the numbers would rise as the economic crisis increases pressure on company margins. However, legislation that will increase fines for safety breaches and give courts more power to jail non-compliant company directors is imminent, since the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 received Royal Assent this month.
Junior work and pensions minister, Lord McKenzie said good employers had nothing to fear and much to gain as the Act, "Tackles the commercial advantage unscrupulous businesses gain from non-compliance."
IOSH president Ray Hurst described the current level of fines for safety offences as "peanuts" and has urged the Government to consider redirecting monies raised from the increased fines into resources at the HSE.
