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Scottish Budget Bill Will Not Help Construction Workers

Construction union UCATT are disappointed that the Scottish Budget Bill expected to be passed today will not address mounting challenges facing the construction industry. Without greater construction investment the industry could take suffer a substantial further dip resulting in more job losses.

The construction industry in Scotland, which accounts for over 200,000 workers, has seen a reduction in output of over 12% and thousands of job losses throughout the past year.  UCATT argue that it is vital that the Scottish Government prioritise investment in capital building projects to re-energise a failing construction industry economy.

UCATT supported accelerated capital spending in 2009-10, but see the cancellation of a major capital project like the Glasgow Airport Rail Link as a major a blow to construction workers and are worried about the future spending in the industry in the latest financial settlement.

Harry Frew, Scottish Secretary of UCATT said:“Workers in the construction industry across Scotland have suffered greatly throughout 2009 and into 2010. Our members are faced with the impact of redundancies, lay offs and short time working that have resulted in major pressures on construction workers and their families. It’s critical that the Scottish Government prioritise investment in construction industry projects to get thousands back to work. 

UCATT is concerned about the ability of Scottish Futures Trust to deliver capital projects and is deeply worried by the cut of £253 million in the affordable housing budget at a time when the level of homelessness in Scotland is increasing with over 40,000 registered homeless across Scotland 

Mr Frew added “Until now, we have no evidence that the Scottish Futures Trust will deliver necessary means of private capital to finance major projects that are vital to help stabilise the construction industry workforce.  In addition the affordable housing budget is being cut, and we are concerned about the impact this will have on the new build housing required to address high levels of demand.”

Industry figures available highlight that the number of Scottish construction industry apprentices has dropped markedly during the recession, with 25% of apprentices being lost to the industry. 

Mr Frew further added: “The knock on effect from the economic slump in construction is being seen across skills and training.  The intake of construction industry apprentices has dropped markedly, with some 900 apprentices laid off despite welcome government incentive schemes for employers to keep apprentices.”

For Further information contact Harry Frew on 01414202880

UCATT represents 125,000 members employed in the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

Construction Dangers Highlighted After Two Scottish Workers Are Killed in 12 Hours

Construction union UCATT are calling for increased vigilance and demanding that companies do not take a complacent attitude to safety, after two construction workers in Scotland were killed within a 12-hour period.

Both men were undertaking painting/blasting duties and both deaths occurred on rail bridges.

The first death occurred at 8pm on Wednesday 27^th January when it is understood that a Mr McDonald fell 150 foot to his death.

In the second incident which occurred on the Tay Bridge at approximately 6pm this morning (Thursday 28^th January), it is understood that the worker who died was involved in a fall from height.

Harry Frew, UCATT Regional Secretary for Scotland, said: “These two tragic accidents leave two families without a loved one. Our hearts go out to both families at this time.”

Mr Frew, added: “These accidents demonstrate just how dangerous the construction industry remains. We must ensure that there is no complacency when it comes to safety in the construction industry.”

There were 10 construction deaths in Scotland in 2008/9, one fewer than in 2007/8. Scotland had the second highest number of deaths after London where 11 fatalities occurred.

Construction is the most dangerous industry in Britain in 2008/9, 53 construction workers were killed

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on 0780 2329235

UCATT represents 125,000 members employed in the construction industry throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland

 Construction Deaths in Scotland Remain Far Too High

Research by construction union UCATT has revealed that 10 construction workers were fatally injured in Scotland in 2008/9.

The total of 10 deaths is one fewer than occurred in Scotland in 2007/8. The number of deaths in Scotland was the second highest in Britain, there were 11 deaths in London in 2008/9.

The total number of construction deaths in the United Kingdom fell from 72 in 2007/8 to 53 in 2008/9, a decrease of 26 per cent. However the small decrease of deaths in Scotland was substantially below the national average.

The national decline in fatal accidents was principally due to the recession, which has led to a steep decline in construction output and in a large number of construction workers being laid off.

Construction remains the most dangerous industry in Britain. The industry is highly casualised. Many workers do not have contracts of employment, regularly move between employers and/or are bogusly self-employed. In recent years there has been a substantial increase in the number of workers being supplied to construction companies through employment agencies and gangmasters.”

Harry Frew, regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “It is important to remember that each of these deaths is an individual tragedy. Families have lost a loved one, who one day never returned from work. Far more needs to be done to prevent deaths from occurring in the future.”

Analysis of the national data on fatalities shows that the most likely cause of death remains falls. In 2008/9 there were 21 deaths caused by falls, 40% of all deaths. The second highest number of deaths were caused by people being hit by a moving or falling object, this accounted for 5 deaths, 9% of the overall total.

UCATT Raises Safety Concerns Following Death Of A Construction Worker In Aberdeen

Construction union UCATT are urgently contacting the Health and Safety Executive about safety concerns following the death of a worker on Tuesday (1^st September) in Aberdeen.

The 63 year old worker died after he fell from scaffolding while working on the former Grampian Hotel Site in Carmelite Lane, Aberdeen.

The company currently operating the site is understood to be HBC Services Ltd.

Research by UCATT has uncovered that the site has a very poor safety history in July 2007 a previous company on the site Inveresk Developments were served with several Immediate Prohibition Notices because of unsafe working practices involving the danger of  falls from height, including from scaffolding.

In October 2008 following a visit to check on compliance with the earlier notices a further Immediate Prohibition Notice was served on Inveresk Developments, stopping all construction work until a “competent site manager” was in place. It is understood that the site was then mothballed before work was restarted.

Harry Frew, Regional Secretary of UCATT Scotland, said: “This site had previously been identified by the HSE as being dangerous. It is worrying to think that a change in construction company, could result in vital safety improvements not being made. I will be writing to the HSE seeking reassurances that the required safety improvements had been made before work recommenced.”

The economic downturn has resulted in many construction sites being mothballed and a high number are likely to be completed by different companies than those which originally started projects.

Mr Frew, added: “Construction workers need to be assured that sites are safe. If sites have been found to be dangerous and are then mothballed it is essential that they are made safe before any construction work resumes.”

For Further information contact Barckley Sumner on  07802329235

Please note the company currently on the site is not HBC Services (East Anglia) Ltd of Great Yarmouth