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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Building site deaths 'unpunished' | Building site deaths 'unpunished' |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The number of companies convicted of offences following the deaths of construction workers has fallen sharply, a report suggests. | The number of companies convicted of offences following the deaths of construction workers has fallen sharply, a report suggests. |
| But the number of workers killed in construction accidents last year rose by 25%, the study adds. | But the number of workers killed in construction accidents last year rose by 25%, the study adds. |
| The report by building union UCATT shows prosecutions for deaths fell from 42% to 11% between 1998 and 2004. | The report by building union UCATT shows prosecutions for deaths fell from 42% to 11% between 1998 and 2004. |
| However, the union's figures have been disputed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). | However, the union's figures have been disputed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). |
| The study has been published to mark Workers Memorial Day on 28 April. | The study has been published to mark Workers Memorial Day on 28 April. |
| It often takes more than three years following the death of a construction worker before a company is brought to trial and convicted. | It often takes more than three years following the death of a construction worker before a company is brought to trial and convicted. |
| Profoundly shocking | Profoundly shocking |
| The report states that 504 construction workers died over a six year period to 2004. | The report states that 504 construction workers died over a six year period to 2004. |
| It claimed there were huge regional differences in the likelihood of a company being prosecuted and there were disturbing trends in the level of fines. | It claimed there were huge regional differences in the likelihood of a company being prosecuted and there were disturbing trends in the level of fines. |
| The construction workers union has campaigned for a crack down on companies that jeopardise safety on building sites. | The construction workers union has campaigned for a crack down on companies that jeopardise safety on building sites. |
| We can't just take the view there's been a ghastly incident so let's go off immediately and prosecute someone Geoffrey Podger, HSE chief executive | |
| Alan Ritchie, leader of UCATT, said the failure of the HSE to prosecute was "profoundly shocking". | |
| In a statement, the HSE said that in the majority of cases inspectors took appropriate action. | In a statement, the HSE said that in the majority of cases inspectors took appropriate action. |
| However, it said it recognised that further improvements were needed. | However, it said it recognised that further improvements were needed. |
| Geoffrey Podger, chief executive of the HSE, told the BBC that prosecutions are examined on a case-by-case basis. | |
| "We don't have targets for prosecution," he said. | |
| "Every prosecution has to be considered on the circumstances of the case - is the evidence available? Does it support a prosecution? Is it in the public interest? | |
| "And we're like any other prosecutor, we've got to behave fairly. We can't just take the view there's been a ghastly incident so let's go off immediately and prosecute someone. | |
| "And actually our overall rate of prosecution is going up, it's not going down, and we are, as far as we're concerned, a regulator with teeth and we're quite prepared to use them in this sector." |