HAS reports halving of building-related deaths last year

The Health and Safety Authority has reported a significant decrease in construction-related deaths last year.

In its latest annual report, the authority says building-related fatalities decreased from 23 in 2005 to 12 in 2006.

It says inspections of building sites were up 13% during the year and 39 prosecutions were pursued.

Despite this, the HSA says construction is still one of the worst sectors for workplace deaths and consistently has the highest rate of injuries.

The authority also says it is worried about the continuing high numbers killed in the agriculture sector.