Latest statistics for the year to March 2012 show a dramatic drop in the number of notices despite the level of construction deaths staying at 49 compared to 50 the previous year.

Construction recorded 2230 major injuries in 2011/12 down from 2307 in 2010/11 and 5391 over-3-day injuries, up from 4813 in 2010/11.

All non fatal injuries saw a seven percent increase from 7120 in 2010/11 to 7621 for 2011/12.

Chief construction inspector Phillip White called on contractors to follow the safety example of the Olympics to improve site standards.

He said: “Year after year, construction continues to be one of the most dangerous sectors in British industry.

“Though the numbers are down in the long term, thousands of workers are being seriously injured or made unwell by their work.

“We all need to refocus our efforts and take on the responsibility to ensure the serious risks that continue to cause death and serious injury, are sensibly managed. Many of these incidents are entirely preventable.

“The Olympics showed us that construction can be an example to all other industries when it is properly focused on managing risk and simple steps are put in place to ensure workers’ health and safety.”