In July Government ministers, as part of the Warwick Agreement, agreed to hold a major inquiry into the high number of deaths in the construction industry. In 2007/8 72 workers were killed at work, in 2006/7 the death toll in the construction industry was 79.

Since the decision to hold an inquiry was made say UCATT, there has been a steady stream of leaks from the HSE, regarding their involvement in the inquiry.

The latest leak which appeared in a national construction newspaper detailed how the HSE were already well advanced in preparing their information, responses and investigative methods for the inquiry. This is despite the fact that the Department of Work and Pensions has not finalised the terms of reference for the inquiry, appointed a chair, or detailed what resources will be spent on the investigation.

It is understood that following earlier leaks and incorrect briefings from the HSE in August and September, senior officials at the DWP warned the organisation that such activities must cease.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “I fail to understand why the HSE seems hell bent on undermining this vital inquiry even before it has begun its work. The HSE is supposed to be promoting safety and reducing deaths. We are consistently told that the HSE is doing a good job, with very limited resources. If that is the case then the HSE has nothing to fear and the inquiry findings will strengthen their position.”

The HSE was unavailable for comment.