What key accident trends within the UK building industry?

Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal accidents in the UK building industry, accounting for 29% of all fatal injuries in 2020/21. The majority of these accidents occur during construction work, but can also happen during maintenance and repair work.

2. Struck by moving vehicles

Being struck by a moving vehicle is the second most common cause of fatal accidents in the UK building industry, accounting for 18% of all fatal injuries in 2020/21. These accidents can occur when workers are working near moving vehicles, such as lorries, diggers, and forklifts.

3. Contact with moving machinery

Contact with moving machinery is the third most common cause of fatal accidents in the UK building industry, accounting for 13% of all fatal injuries in 2020/21. These accidents can occur when workers are operating or working near machinery, such as saws, drills, and grinders.

4. Falls through fragile surfaces

Falls through fragile surfaces are the fourth most common cause of fatal accidents in the UK building industry, accounting for 9% of all fatal injuries in 2020/21. These accidents can occur when workers are working on roofs, scaffolding, and other elevated surfaces.

5. Electrical accidents

Electrical accidents are the fifth most common cause of fatal accidents in the UK building industry, accounting for 8% of all fatal injuries in 2020/21. These accidents can occur when workers are working with electrical equipment, such as cables, wires, and sockets.

Key Trends

The following key trends have been identified in relation to accidents in the UK building industry:

* The overall number of fatal accidents has decreased over the past 10 years. In 2020/21, there were 40 fatal accidents in the UK building industry, compared to 48 fatal accidents in 2011/12.

* However, the rate of fatal accidents has increased in recent years. In 2020/21, the fatal injury rate in the UK building industry was 1.11 per 100,000 workers, compared to 1.08 per 100,000 workers in 2019/20.

* The majority of fatal accidents occur in the construction sector. In 2020/21, 80% of all fatal accidents in the UK building industry occurred in the construction sector.

* The most common type of fatal accident is a fall from height. In 2020/21, 29% of all fatal accidents in the UK building industry were falls from height.

These trends highlight the need for continued efforts to improve safety in the UK building industry.