Construction is still the biggest killer among all industries which suffered 152 deaths during the year.

The construction death level is down on last year’s figure of 52 and continues the downward trend in fatalities from the record recent high of 105 in 2000/01.

Construction accident rates were also down. Between April 2009 and March 2010 the number of major injuries – such as burns and amputations – fell 14% to 2585 from 3307 in 2008/09 (rate of 266.7 per 100 000 in 2008/09 to 230.0 in 2009/10).

Injuries serious enough to keep people off work for three or more days dropped 8%, from 6815 in 2008/09 to 5651 in 2009/10 (rate of 549.5 per 100 000 in 2008/09 to 502.9 in 2009/10).

Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said: “While the fact that fewer people are being killed or seriously injured is encouraging, the construction industry retains its unwanted record of accounting for more fatal injuries than any other sector.

“As Britain moves out of recession and work starts up again, we must continue to focus on real health and safety, especially in construction where the risks are all too real all the time.

“The great tragedy is that so many of these deaths, injuries and illnesses are entirely preventable and can be tracked back to the same basic failings.”