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Construction Deaths Remain Far Too High In South Wales And The South West

Research undertaken by construction union UCATT has revealed that deaths in South Wales and the South West remain worryingly high.

In 2007/8 11 construction workers were killed in UCATT’s Wales and South West Region compared to 12 deaths in 2006/7. Nationally during the same period construction deaths decreased slightly from 79 in 2006/7 to 72 in 2007/8.

The HSE’s figures show that there were two deaths in South Wales (in North Wales which is part of UCATT’s North West region there were also two deaths) and there were nine deaths in the South West.

Since 2002 the number of enforcement notices and prosecutions issued by the Health and Safety Executive has been declining. The decline in enforcement activity has been caused by budget cuts and a reduction in the number of frontline inspectors.

The industry has also become increasingly casualised, with a large increase in the number of workers supplied through employment agencies and Gangmasters. This has resulted in a large number of inexperienced workers being placed on construction sites.

Nick Blundell, Regional Secretary of UCATT’s Wales and South West region, said: “Every one of those 11 deaths represents an individual tragedy for a family whose loved one never returned home. Sadly in the construction industry there remain far too many bosses who do not see health and safety as a priority. That attitude must be stamped out if we are going to substantially reduce fatalities in the future.”

Construction is the most dangerous occupation in Britain, analysis shows that nationally the most likely causes of deaths were: Fall from height (23 deaths), hit by a moving or flying object (16), electrocution (10).

It is estimated that management failure is a contributory factor in at least 70 per cent of construction deaths. However only 30 per cent of companies are prosecuted following the death of a construction worker.

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT Wales and South West Regional Secretary Elected to Welsh TUC Executive

Nick Blundell the regional secretary of the Wales and South West Region of UCATT, has been elected onto the Executive of the Wales TUC.

Mr Blundell has pledged to use his position to increase the awareness of problems experienced by all construction workers throughout Wales.

Development Officer vacancies

UCATT has two vacancies for Development Officers. One officer will be based in the regional office in Cardiff, servicing the Bristol area. The other officer will be based in the Plymouth sub-office and will be expected on occasion (weekly/fortnightly) to travel to the regional office in Cardiff.

The suitable candidates must be able to recruit new members and develop the organisation of UCATT. The successful candidate must possess an understanding of the key issues facing the union, its members and the Construction Industry in general.

The posts are initially offered on a 12-month contract, subject to periodic performance review, with a view to permanent employment for the right candidate.

The starting salary will depend on experience but the band for a Development Officer is from £22,066.72 with incremental scales increasing to £26,715.99 per annum (reviewed annually in January) plus the use of a union vehicle. Further career opportunities will be available subject to performance.

Please send a CV and a covering letter to:

The General Secretary, UCATT House, 177 Abbeville Road, London SW4 9RL

Asbestos campaign launch in Wales

Huw-Irranca Davies MP will launch UCATT Wales campaign to overturn the Law Lords decision to block compensation for victims of pleural plaques.

Mr Irranca Davies, UCATT activists and asbestos campaigners will launch the campaign outside the National Assembly building in Cardiff.

The photo opportunity will be on:

FRIDAY 22 FEBRUARY

OUTSIDE THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING

CARDIFF

CF99 1NA

AT 12pm

Sufferers of asbestos illnesses, Mr Irranca Davies and Nick Blundell UCATT’s regional secretary for Wales, will be available for interview following the photocall.

Pleural plaques is scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and long term exposure to asbestos. Victims of pleural plaques have a greatly increased risk of contracting mesothelioma the fatal lung cancer.

Pleural plaque victims can experience a number of debilitating mental and physical conditions caused by their injuries. One in seven of those diagnosed with pleural plaques will develop mesothelioma. Mesothelioma kills 2,000 people a year. The number of people developing mesothelioma is set to increase in the future and is likely to peak in 2020 with 20,000 people dying from the disease.

Nick Blundell, UCATT’s regional secretary for Wales and the South West, said: “Many workers were forced to work with asbestos even though their bosses knew the dangers they were facing. The very least that should happen is that they should receive compensation for their injuries.”

In October last year the Law Lords ruled that pleural plaques would no longer be a compensatable illness. The decision has been widely criticised inside and outside Parliament. Campaigners have since been calling on Jack Straw the Secretary of State for Justice to introduce fresh legislation, to overturn the Law Lords ruling. It is estimated the ruling will save insurance companies over £1 billion in compensation payments.

A copy of the postcard which can be sent directly to the Ministry of Justice calling for the Law Lords decision to be overturned is available for download HERE.

Mr Irranca Davies has a long history of involvement on asbestos issues and is a key figure in the South Wales Asbestos Support Group.