The move is the first official government response to recently released figures showing that construction sites in Britain continue to be very dangerous places in which to work.

Construction deaths reached a five-year high of 77 in the past 12 months.

Mr Hain said: "The jump in construction site fatalities is as disturbing as it is unacceptable and we must get to the bottom of why this is happening.

"I have now obtained the agreement of all the major construction employers' organisations, the Health and Safety Commission and the main trade unions to meet in a forum.

"I am asking them all to work together with me to identify the reason for the rise in deaths and to hammer out together an urgent action plan to reverse it.

The forum is due to meet on September 17th.