The insurance industry has expressed concern over risk management standards in the construction industry, after new figures revealed the number of deaths on construction sites could rise for the first time in three years.
According to the HSE, 27 workers have died on site since April. If this rate were to continue the total figure for 2003 could top 100, it said.
The figures will disappoint employers' liability (EL) insurers, who have been working closely with the construction industry to improve risk management.
In June, AXA announced a major drive to stem losses on its EL construction portfolio. It is currently surveying its construction EL policyholders to build a more detailed picture of the risks it insures.
AXA commercial underwriting head Roy Watkinson told Insurance Times in June: "There is a concern that the construction sector has been failing to implement sound risk assessment procedures.
"We want to know that firms have safe systems and proof of training. Then if there is a claim, firms would be able to prove they were at least encouraging best practice, which would reduce the EL premium."
ABI head of liability Paul Fegan said: "While this is tragic news, insurers will try to take a broader view. It would premature to say what the impact will be on premiums."
