AUDIO NEWS: Fatal falls from height increases by 22% and government has to fix the skills crisis
Posted: Monday, July 8th, 2024
The number of workers involved in fatal falls from height has leapt up by 22% in the last year. According to data from The Access Industry Forum, 50 people in Great Britain were killed between 2023 and 2024 - the highest since 2008. The 2023/24 figure for fatal falls from height is 35% above the five-year average. Despite improvements in height safety, and ongoing awareness campaigns, falls from height remain the leading cause of workplace fatalities. Falls from height now account for 36% of all work-related deaths – up 11% since 2021/22. Peter Bennett, chair of the AIF and the No Falls Foundation said the latest figures painted an “overwhelming bleak picture”. --- The new Labour government new house building programme can only be delivered “if serious action is taken to boost the workforce,” warned the Federation of Master Builders last week. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said “it was disappointing to see that tackling the skills crisis was absent from the opening statement of intent.” --- And finally, a son has honoured his father’s dying wish for a cut price funeral, by building his coffin from scaffolding boards and transporting him to church in the back of his work van. Charlie Dowdeswell, a roofer cobbled together the cut-price coffin in response to the “ridiculous” price of funerals and in a nod to his late father’s sense of humour. --- To listen to the construction news please click below
Trending Stories
-
Essex electrician has roundabout signs rejected
A sparkie’s bid to sponsor signs on two roundabouts has been refused by planning chiefs who described them as “clutter”
-
Barbie caused a ‘worldwide’ shortage of pink paint
Barbie needed so much fluorescent pink paint that it caused a worldwide supply shortage for an entire company
-
Builders find body of man murdered in the 1960s and buried in back garden
A woman who bought a South London house was left horrified after builders discovered the body of a man murdered in the 1960s and buried in her garden 14 months after she moved in
-
'Government insulation scheme ruined my home'
A home-owner said his flat has been ruined by black mould caused by a government "green" insulation schem
-
Builder celebrates lottery win by buying his coworkers bacon butties
A builder from Milford Haven who won big on the lottery celebrated his victory by treating all his workmates to a round of bacon rolls
Comments
Add a comment