And the increase is not simply down to more work on site during the recovery because the rate of fatalities per 100,000 workers has also gone up to 1.98 from 1.9 last year.

The fatality figures are still below the five year average for construction deaths of 46 and a rate per 100,000 workers of 2.07.

The HSE has also released the latest number of deaths from mesothelioma – a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

These show that 2,535 people died in 2012, which is an increased from 2,291 in 2011.

Judith Hackitt, the HSE Chair, said: “The high numbers of deaths relating to mesothelioma are a reminder of historically poor standards of workplace health and safety, which decades later are causing thousands of painful, untimely deaths each year.

“While we now recognise and are better positioned to manage such health risks, these statistics are a stark reminder of the importance of keeping health standards in the workplace on a par with those we apply to safety.”