A range of key industry figures will be invited to the forum in September, which will particularly focus on ways to improve health and safety in the house building and refurbishment sectors.

Peter Hain said:
" It is vital that everyone involved in the construction industry puts health and safety first, everyone from clients to employers, designers to suppliers, large construction firms right down to the smallest builders.

"We have a seen a significant rise in deaths within the housing and refurbishment sectors and I am calling together clients, contractors, trade unions, designers, suppliers and others for a special forum in September to try and crack the problems in these areas. I have also asked the Health and Safety Commission and Executive to redouble their efforts in driving improvements within the construction industry.”