Researchers carried out an in-depth study into the conditions of Britain’ s workplaces- and discovered a staggering 87 % of construction workers claim their building site to be a health and safety hazard. Almost half of the builders and construction workers( 48 %) surveyed said they had suffered from an injury at work, with almost a third( 30 %) having been to hospital due to a work-related illness or injury. The research reveals that the average builder or construction worker has had two accidents at work, with one of those accidents having happened in the last 12 months.

More than a quarter( 26 %) of those surveyed said that manual handling large, heavy items incorrectly- and without the right equipment to do so- contributed to their injury. Other findings to have emerged from the study regarding their injury onsite include slips and trips( 19 %), obstructions( 15 %), working at height( 11 %) and falling objects( 9 %) were all cited. Over half( 54 %) of the builders and construction workers polled have regularly complained to their bosses about the poor safety of the construction site they work at, with a further 27 % saying their foreman did nothing to rectify the situation.

The research was commissioned by the solicitors following the launch of its new interactive injury compensation calculator, which provides builders and construction workers with an estimate of how much compensation they could be entitled to following an accident or injury. According to the research, almost a fifth( 17 percent) have sought legal advice after suffering from injury onsite, claiming an average of £ 17,600. Common‘ minor’ workplace injuries often occurring to builders might seem obvious with

33 % saying they had cut themselves enough to warrant medical attention. Strained backs counted for 30 % of injuries, with a quarter( 25 %) regularly going home with bruises, sprains( 19 %) or small burns( 10 %). However, the majority of accidents among the sample were considered‘ moderate’ and serious enough to make a claim, with either a broken bone or fracture( 26 %) as the direct result of their injury. The more‘ severe’ accidents that followed an injury at work on a construction site include dislocations

( 8 %) and 4 % said they had lost a limb or body part as a result of their injury. Over one in four( 26 %) said that the accident that happened on-site was their work’ s fault while just over a fifth( 22 %) said they had an accident at work on-site that was their fault. * The research was conducted by Ginger Research in August, 2016. 1,019 British employees took part in the online survey. 115 employees said they worked within a building or construction site environment.

Robbie Bright on his charity cycle ride in France.

It is with great sadness that HUECK UK has announced the death of its sales director, Robert Bright. Robbie died in an accident in France, during a charity cycle ride that was raising funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, in memory of his beloved son, George. He was part of the senior management and business development team for the UK arm of global supplier of aluminium building systems, HUECK, and an industry veteran with many years’ experience. His professional leadership and personal friendship will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. The entire team at HUECK both in the UK, as well as Germany, has paid tribute to Robbie Bright. Leon Friend, HUECK UK project director, said:“ Robbie has been pivotal in HUECK’ s establishment in the UK. He has won, project-managed and successfully delivered some of HUECK’ s most impressive projects in London and across the UK.

“ He had nearly three decades of experience, and his knowledge, passion and dedication have been truly inspiring for all of us at HUECK since he joined the team, in June 2013. Aside from a great personality, he was an exceptional business man and had a strong ability to identify and maximise opportunities.” Crispin Jedrzejewski, HUECK UK technical director, commented:“ Robbie was much more than a colleague to me. His personality and friendliness quickly led me to consider him a good friend and confidant – his tragic loss will be acutely felt by all who knew him.” Ralf Schrader from the parent company in Germany said:“ To me, Robbie was both the honest English gentleman and a trustworthy and reliable businessman, as well as a friend. It was my honour and privilege to support him and his family in the charity ride, organised in memory of George.“ To lose him under such tragic circumstances is unthinkable and very saddening. But although we will miss him very

‘ Robbie was much more than a colleague to me. His personality and friendliness quickly led me to consider him a good friend and confidant’

much, he will always be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to call him a friend.” Adrian Price, area sales manager at HUECK UK, also paid tribute:“ Robbie Bright, this gentleman, exceptional work colleague and most of all one of my closest friends, will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Robbie was one of the nicest people I knew, who truly wore his heart on his sleeve, and gave his all in everything he did. I will miss the support he gave me, and also the conversations we used to have, but most of all I will miss my friend.”