PPE Detection and Monitoring

Mitigating risks for construction workers

According to the HSE, 51 construction workers died in accidents for the year to 31 March 2024. Construction worker fatalities in the UK are 70% higher than before the Covid pandemic.

In 2022/23, 45 workers were killed in work-related accidents in construction, which was an increase from 30 in 2021/22.

In 2022/23, over half (51%) of all construction fatalities were falls from height.

In 2022/23, there were 561,000 non-fatal work-related injuries.

Construction Site Security

Prosecutions, fines and legal fees

Provisional figures for 2020/21p show a total of 1,260 notices issued by HSE inspectors in Construction.

There were 76 prosecution cases led by HSE or, in Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal5 where a verdict was reached in 2020/21, resulting in:

• 66 (87%) with a conviction for at least one offence;
• £5.3 million in total fines averaging around £80,000 per conviction.

In 2019/20 there were 144 cases resulting in 138 convictions (96%).
This led to £7.8 million in total fines and average fines of around £57,000

Understanding the benefits of PPE as well as liability insurance for your business can be tremendously impactful in reducing the risk of injury and claims in the construction sector.

Wearing the correct PPE not only reduces workplace injury which in turn means a reduction in absence, it helps companies avoid prosecutions, fines, and legal fees.

Source: RIDDOR, 2020/21
*Note: ‘p’ indicates provisional figures due to be finalised in 2022