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 and 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.
The inquiry involved widespread stakeholder consultation and 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.
Three academics were appointed to provide independent oversight of the work and to support the Inquiry Chair. Their peer reviews of Phase 1 informed the direction of the Phase 2 work and the final Phase 1 report. Read the final peer reviews for Phase 2:
- Peer review of the Phase 2 study of fatal accidents (91KB)
covering 28 recent cases focusing on underlying causes and undertaken by HSE with independent direction and oversight from the Chair and peer reviewers. - Peer review of the Phase 2 external research (183KB) covering evidence from industry, international, insurer, company and trades union sources about root causes of construction accidents and levers within and beyond health and safety systems to make further improvements.
The Government Response to the "Rita Donaghy Inquiry Report: One Death is too Many" was published on 30 March 2010
