Early unvalidated figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that around 69 construction workers were killed in 2007/08, a 10% improvement on the previous year.

Construction union Ucatt has criticised the "Enterprise" White Paper launched by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, for potentially endangering the lives of workers.

Over one in three refurbishment construction sites visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) put the lives of workers at risk.