The Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) latest workplace safety statistics show a downward trend in both numbers and the incidence rate of injuries to workers in the year to 31 March 2000. Health and Safety in the construction industry is especially important, as this accounts for over a third of workplace deaths.

Bill Callaghan, Chair of HSC said: "The figures are important as they will help form the baseline for the tough targets set by the Government's and HSC's Revitalising Health and Safety Strategy announced last month."

The figures show that in 1999/00 the fatal injury fell from 0.9 to 0.8 per hundred thousand workers. Thirty-five fewer workers died, down from 253 to 218, whilst major injuries fell from 29,053 in 1998/99 to 28,939.

Mr Callaghan continued: "The targets everyone concerned should help to achieve, mean that by 2010 there should be a reduction of 10% in the fatal and major injury rate. The Commission and Executive will do all we can to help achieve at least this level of improvement. But we cannot do it alone. I want to see employers, unions and others commit to agreed and sustainable targets for improvements and to make these targets fully operational, not just aspirational."

Over a third of all workforce fatalities are in the construction industry. The rate of deaths per 100,000 workers rose to 4.5 compared to 3.8 in 1998/99, representing an increase of 14 deaths, up from 65 to 79.

Kevin Myers, HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction, said: "The rise in deaths is of particular concern at a time of increasing activity in the construction industry. There must be a redoubling of efforts to re-establish the improvement of previous years."

The statistics contained in the Bulletin are HSE's best estimates for 1999/00. More detailed information will be published in the autumn in Health and Safety Statistics and the HSC Annual Report. Copies of Safety Statistics Bulletin 1999/00 can be ordered, free of charge, at http://www.hsebooks.co.uk

Anna Lagerkvist