New research has revealed that two thirds of construction workers feel safer in their work environment than they did this time five years ago, with only 10% suffering an injury whilst at work.
Following reports in 2014 that construction had accounted for the greatest number of fatal injuries across any industry, business insurance website constructaquote.com carried out its own research to examine how safe the average UK construction worker feels during a typical working day.
A total of 1,849 UK workers aged 23 and over who had worked in construction for at least five years were polled. Of the workers questioned, almost three quarters of workers (73%) stated that they were either ?self-employed’ or a ?part-time freelancer’.
Participants were initially asked if, in general, they feel safer and more secure when at work than they did this time five years ago. Over two thirds of respondents (67%) agreed with this statement, and when asked to expand and list the main reasons behind this, 58% claimed that there was better on-the-job safety training. This was followed by the presence of a more safety aware employer; better implementation of health and safety guidelines; and stricter laws within the industry for companies to adhere to.
Respondents were also asked what factors are likely to make them feel unsafe at work.
“The threat of sustaining an injury at work and not being able to work” (49%) and
“not having enough work coming in to make a substantial income to support my family” (28%) were revealed as the most common reasons given.
Lyndon Wood, chief executive and creator of www.constructaquote.com, said:
“I think in terms of employee’s health and safety the results of our study and the fact that so many workers feel safer than they did five years ago are extremely positive. Of course, working in an industry such as construction is never going to be as risk-free as working in an office, but that is just the chance that many individuals who love their job have to take every day.
“It is also telling that almost half of workers consider their biggest worry at work to be what would happen to their income should they sustain a serious injury or illness. It is examples such as this that emphasise why it’s so important a strong insurance policy is put in place within all UK construction companies, not just for business owners, but also for employees’ peace of mind.”
