Inquiry into the underlying causes of construction fatal accidents
An Inquiry into the underlying causes of construction fatal accidents was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions in December 2008. The Inquiry arose from concern over the number of construction deaths, to examine what more could be done to tackle the underlying causes.
The Inquiry was chaired by Rita Donaghy CBE FRSA. Her report and recommendations were published on 8 July 2009 and is available for download.
DWP website - Fatal accidents inquiry
In addition to widespread stakeholder consultation the Inquiry involved a phased programme of supporting work. Phase 1 delivered a review of previous HSE work and insight into underlying causes. Phase 2 involved a review of industry evidence and a separate study of recent construction fatal accidents.
The three background reports* are available for download:
- Phase 1 Review
Undertaken by HSE to consolidate and summarise existing knowledge of causal factors in construction fatal accidents based on HSE internal and externally commissioned work over the last 10 years. - Phase 2 external research [2.5MB]
Undertaken by Loughborough University covering evidence from industry / international / insurer / company / trades union sources about root causes of construction accidents and levers within and beyond health and safety systems to make further improvements. - Phase 2 study of fatal accidents
Covering 28 recent cases focusing on underlying causes and undertaken by HSE with independent direction and oversight from the Chair and peer reviewers.
Three academics were appointed to provide independent oversight of the work and to support the Inquiry Chair: Professor Andrew Hale (Professor of Safety Science, Delft University of Technology); Dr Sonia McKay (Reader, Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University); and Professor David Walters (Professor of Work Environment and Director of Cardiff Work Environment Research Centre, Cardiff University).
Their peer reviews of Phase 1 informed the direction of the Phase 2 work and the final Phase 1 report. Final peer reviews of Phase 2 are available for download:
DWP website - Fatal accidents inquiry
*The background work has informed Rita Donaghy's report but is not necessarily endorsed by the Inquiry nor necessarily taken up or reflected in her recommendations.