Death at work statistics questioned
The number of businesses convicted of offences after construction workers have died on site has fallen - even though the number of workers killed at work has risen, it's been claimed.
The claim is made in a report by building union UCATT, which says that prosecutions for deaths fell from 42% to 11% between 1998 and 2004.
There can be a delay of three years before such cases come to court, the BBC reported.
However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said not every death at work should result in a court case.
A spokesman said:
"Nobody, least of all HSE, underestimates the devastation that the death of a loved one can cause; but that should not be the basis for bringing a prosecution."This is not a police state. We do not prosecute without proper justification - both evidential and public interest."
In addition, the HSE questioned the accuracy of UCATT's figures.
