Construction site accident claims and worker safety in the UK.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous environments, with a high potential for accidents due to the nature of the work being performed. Heavy machinery, working at heights, and unpredictable site conditions are just a few of the hazards that construction workers face daily.
Despite stringent regulations designed to ensure safety, accidents still occur on site far too often. These accidents often lead to severe injuries being sustained and even fatalities.
The tragic accident on a Balfour Beatty site – a leading UK construction company – serves as a stark reminder of these risks and the devastating consequences of negligence. Balfour Beatty was fined £1.5 million after a worker died and another was seriously injured during a lifting operation at one of its construction sites. The incident highlights the importance of compliance with health and safety regulations, particularly when it comes to high-risk activities such as lifting operations.
Following an investigation by the HSE, Balfour Beatty was found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and Regulation 8 of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998. These regulations require employers to ensure that all lifting operations are properly planned, supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. The £1.5 million fine imposed on the company reflects the seriousness of the breach and serves as a warning to other companies in the industry.
The construction industry continues to be one of the most dangerous sectors in the UK. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), construction accounts for a significant proportion of workplace injuries and fatalities. In the year 2022/23 alone, there were 45 worker fatalities in the construction industry, making it the second most dangerous sector in the UK in terms of deaths at work.
Beyond fatalities, HSE data has shown that there were 61,000 non-fatal injuries to construction workers during the same period, with many of these injuries resulting in long-term physical and financial consequences for the victims.
The cost of construction site injuries, both in human and financial terms, is immense. A report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) estimates that the total cost of occupational accidents and ill health in the UK construction industry is over £1 billion annually.
Employers in the construction industry are legally obliged to provide a safe working environment for their employees. This responsibility is enshrined in legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which requires employers to take reasonable steps to protect their workers from harm. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM Regulations) further outline the specific duties of contractors, designers, and clients to manage health and safety risks on construction sites.
For workers who have been injured on construction sites, the impact can be life-altering. Physical injuries may result in long-term disability, while the financial burden of lost wages and medical bills can be overwhelming. In cases where an employer’s negligence has caused or contributed to an accident, workers have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
At Slee Blackwell, our award-winning, Legal 500 recommended personal injury team specialises in handling construction site accident claims and helping injured workers secure the compensation they deserve. We understand the complexities of construction site regulations and the legal obligations employers must adhere to.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a construction site accident, our experienced team can guide you through the process of claiming compensation on a No Win No Fee basis.