subject: Construction Site Safety: Why The Uk Is The Safest Place To Work In Europe [print this page] After the fishing industry, construction is the most dangerous land-based work sector in Europe. The current fatality rate is nearly 13 workers per 100,000 for the EU - which is higher than large states such as the US.
But when you drill down further to individual countries, the number varies. Surprisingly, the Germans have the highest fatality rate on construction sites in the whole of the EU with more than 15 deaths per 100,000. Conversely, the United Kingdom has the lowest number of deaths with just three per 100,000.
Topping the list of dangerous activities on construction sites is working at heights, on scaffolding and up large towers. Consequently, fall protection is needed in areas and activities that include ramps, runways, walkways, roofs, and formwork.
This is why it is so important to make sure your team know the risks concerned with working at heights - and even more importantly - have the right equipment that will prevent falls.
In the UK there are a number of companies who offer effective training and specific equipment that protects against death and injury when working at heights.
Take HART, for example. This Kent-based company provide all manner of courses that prepare you for a number of on-site disciplines. It's all part of an initiative by the HSE to completely eradicate deaths in construction.
While many construction workers cite the intervention of the HSE as yet another hurdle between them and getting the job done, you simply cannot argue with the benefits of having an effective safety strategy in place.
The only stumbling block left now is human error. After all, as the saying goes, to err is human. And while we can try to get closer to perfection, there will be always be the chance that something will go wrong. But at least we can get the number of fatalities down to just one per 100,000. Now that would be a challenge.
