Factsheet 36 - Accident prevention in the construction sector

Keywords:

Accident prevention
Construction
OSH and young people

In the European Union construction is the sector most at risk of accidents, with more than 1 300 people being killed in construction accidents every year. Worldwide, construction workers are three times more likely to be killed and twice as likely to be injured as workers in other occupations. The costs of these accidents are immense to the individual, to the employer and to society. They can amount to an appreciable proportion of the contract price. Over 99% of construction firms in Europe are small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are therefore most affected by construction accidents. The advice in this factsheet is relevant to enterprises of all sizes.