Inquiry into the Underlying Causes of Construction Fatal Accidents

One Death is too Many

Rita Donaghy CBEChair of the Inquiry

To conduct an Inquiry into the underlying causes of construction fatal accidents

Phase 1 - Ten year review by HSE- 2008 study on root causes of 25 migrant / foreign worker fatalities- Preparation for Phase 2 research

Phase 2 - Research based on wider source of evidence

- Review of ’25’ recent fatal accidents

Phase 3 - Chair’s review after extensive industry consultation and Phase 1 and 2 reports

Terms of Reference

Construction fatalities should be socially unacceptable

It is a social issue and should not be confined to health and safety

Building regulations should be amended to include process

Clarify responsibility of directors to assist courts

Positive duty on directors

Extend remit of Gangmasters Licensing Authority to construction

Mandatory Common Minimum Standards should apply throughout public procurement

Standard agreed bench-marks on pre-qualification.

Recommendations

Investigate built-in delays in prosecution

Full-time Minister for Construction

Construction Skills to be more re-distributive

Research high drop-out rate on apprenticeships

Consolidate and renew CSCS system

Review adequacy and relevance of college curricula

Greater trade union or worker participation – funding for worker safety advisors

Protection for families / contact addresses / ”legacy issues”.

Other Recommendations (1)

Partnership through supply chain

Occupational Health

Awareness raising campaign for reporting accidents / targeted campaign for vulnerable groups

HSE – London resources / non-accident prosecutions / communications strategy / promotion of directors guidance

Continue review of recent fatal accidents.

Other Recommendations (2)

Government considering response

Voice for the industry

Partnership, stability and profit.

Where to from Here?

Inquiry into the Underlying Causes of Construction Fatal Accidents

Reports:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/policy-publications/fatal-accidents-inquiry.shtml

http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/inquiry.htm