Book Description

211 men died in the construction industry in the three year period 2005-06 to 2007-08. This "unacceptable level of fatalities" led to the commissioning of this inquiry, though Rita Donaghy remarks that there is no public sense of shock at the regular toll of fatalities in the industry and there is a need to raise the profile of these tragedies so that a construction fatality becomes socially unacceptable. The construction industry generally is modelled to provide maximum flexibility. Consequently the majority of functions are contracted out and at least 40 per cent of workers are self-employed or in the Construction Industry Scheme. The advantages are obvious in that it reduces overheads and some commentators argue that it improves profitability and productivity. The disadvantages are that it becomes more difficult for a safety culture to flourish, worker engagement is weak, employment security and continuity is minimal and skills training is at best patchy. The findings of the Review's investigation of a number of case studies reveal a combination of factors for each fatal accident of which the most frequently cited are: (a) the incidence of training factors, experience; (b) information and advice deficiencies; (c) risk perception; (d) rescheduling of work without planning; (e) minor / one-off jobs; (f) compliance; (g) equipment operability, space, personal protective equipment (PPE) issues and tools not designed to fit the user / task. 28 recommendations are made.