There's been an alarming cut in the number of unannounced inspections by the Health and Safety Executive on construction sites, Unite the union is warning.
Construction is the most dangerous employment sector, with 30 deaths at work reported last year and the most common type of fatal accident being falling from a height.
Now Unite has obtained figures through a Freedom of Information request showing that the number of proactive HSE inspections has fallen from 11,303 in the year 2013/14 to 7,793 last year, a 31% drop.
The HSE said inspection numbers fell due to Covid restrictions, but Unite responded by saying that the building industry was working normally last year.
“These figures are shocking," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
"They demonstrate that the HSE is either unwilling or unable to ensure the safety of construction workers.
“Construction is a dangerous industry, made more dangerous by unscrupulous employers who risk workers’ lives by ignoring safety laws.
“The safest sites are union-organised workplaces where independent union safety reps are able to challenge safety concerns and keep their fellow workers safe."
Unite’s research also revealed a 51% decline since 2014 in the number of enforcement notices issued to employers to ensure safety measures are put in place following inspections.
A HSE spokesperson said its inspections numbers have "increased significantly" in the last year.
