Dangers In Construction Industry Must Be Addressed Says Euro-MP

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Jun 2005

The European Commission is launching a publicity campaign in the 10 new EU Member States highlighting the need for safety in the construction industry. The campaign will be accompanied by inspections of construction sites across these countries, pinpointing possible dangers and showing how to prevent them.

The construction sector has a higher than average death rate among workers. Some 13 workers per 100,000 across the EU were killed in 2001, compared with an all sector average of five per 100,000. The figure is even higher for the construction sector in the new Member States with 24 per 100,000 killed. The Commission's campaign will focus on many of the causes of these deaths and other injuries, including falling from a height, being struck by moving vehicles and getting hurt by falling objects.

Liberal Democrat Health & Safety Spokesperson in the European Parliament Liz Lynne MEP, who highlighted the problem across the EU during European Construction Week last October, said that more has to be done to prevent the amount of accidents in the industry.

"I very much welcome this initiative from the Commission. It is important that the campaign highlights best practices in inspection, and helps the new Member States through sharing the experiences of the other members of the EU.

"Construction is one of Europe's largest industries, but unfortunately it also has one of the worst occupational health and safety records with a cost to the employer and European taxpayers of over 75 billion Euros each year.

"This is not only a problem in the new member states. All levels of government and industry across the EU should be doing more to reduce the disturbingly high number of deaths and injuries sustained in the construction sector.

"This does not mean we need new legislation, but that we need to make sure current Health and Safety laws are applied equally across the EU."

The Commissions publicity campaign is part of an annual attempt to raise awareness of Health & Safety issues in the EU accession countries. Next years campaign will focus on Asbestos.