45 killed on building sites

A TOTAL of 45 people were killed on Northern Ireland building sites over the past ten years

For the 10 year period April 2000 to March 2010 the number of incidents on building sites reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for Northern Ireland were: 45 fatalities; 864 major injuries, and 1730 minor injuries.

Asked by East Londonderry MLA John Dallat to detail the number of prosecutions for criminal negligence as a result of fatalities on building sites the Trade Minister Arlene Fosterreplied that there were 31 prosecutions as a result of construction fatalities.

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In all 11 contractors and three sub-contractor's were prosecuted over the decade whilst in 15 instances both the main contractor and sub contractor were brought to book. Two clients were also prosecuted.

The Minister cautioned that a prosecution is not always possible as in some instances the death is of a self-employed person.

Mr Dallat also asked what steps the Minister intended to take to ensure main contractors have, at all times, overall responsibility for health and safety issues on building sites, particularly multi-storey and larger sites.

She replied: "Already the provisions of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007 place an overall statutory duty for the management of health and safety of a building site on the main contractor."