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At least twice as many people die from fatal injuries at work than are victims of homicide, a report described by a construction union as a "grim wake-up call" has revealed.
The study by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies says at least 1,300 people died as a result of fatal occupational injuries in 2005-06, compared with 765 homicide victims.
Entitled A crisis of enforcement, the report says a trend towards 'light touch' regulation of business has effectively decriminalised death and injury at work.
The authors say a reduction a reduction in the capacity of bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to inspect business and take appropriate action means the majority of the most serious injuries, as well as many deaths, are not investigated.
One of the writers, Dr David Whyte, says HSE enforcement notices fell by 40 per cent and prosecutions by 49 per cent between 2001 and 2006.
The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians welcomes the report and believes too many people consider deaths on construction sites almost an occupational hazard.
General secretary Alan Ritchie comments: "This report must serve as a grim wake up call for the HSE.
"Their obsession with the policies of self-regulation mean that many workers are needlessly killed at work every year.
"If they do not have sufficient resources to protect workers they should say so rather than spout the mantra that business must regulate itself."
