Deaths at work are up by more than a third, according to the Health & Safety Executive.

In the most dangerous sector, the construction industry, deaths are at their highest rate for 10 years.

In total, 295 people died at work in the 12 months to April 2001, up 34% from 220 deaths in the previous 12 months.

Of the dead, 106 were building workers.

On average there are two deaths every week in the construction industry, said HSE chairman Bill Callaghan.

Deaths among building workers are running at six per 100,000, according to the HSE's annual Safety Statistics Bulletin.

Under-reporting

The HSE also said fewer companies were reporting accidents, although they were legally obliged to do so.

It cited the Labour Force Survey, which suggested only 44% of non-fatal accidents were reported in the 12 months to April 2000.

The survey also suggested there has been a decline in reporting accidents to relevant authorities over the three years to 2000.

"The primary responsibility for the health and safety of workers remains with employers. There is absolutely no excuse for them to ignore their fundamental duty to take all reasonable steps to safeguard workers lives", said Mr Callaghan.

No explanation

The HSE says it does not know why fatalities have risen and is commissioning more research.

"There is no underlying or single reason that we can pinpoint", an HSE spokesman said.

The biggest killer was falls from a height, which led to 73 deaths. Next came moving vehicles, which caused 64 deaths - almost double the previous year.

"We are greatly concerned at the increase in fatalities which goes against the downward trend of recent years," said Mr Callaghan.

Against the trend

It also goes against the trend toward fewer major injuries and fewer less serious injuries - those needing more than three days off work - which declined in all sectors, not just construction.

These figures could be down because of under-reporting by employers and are not "a cause for complacency", said Mr Callaghan.

Non-fatal major injuries fell 4.7% to 27,935 from 29,315 and less serious injuries were down by 1.7% to 133,813 from 136,113 .

Construction workers suffered 4,729 major injuries in the 12 months to April compared with 4,749 the previous year.

Not empowered

"About half the prosecutions we do are in the construction industry", according to the HSE spokesman.

Overall, the HSE prosecuted 2,077 cases in the past year and secured 1,493 convictions.

The average fine was �6,250.

However, the HSE is not empowered to bring manslaughter prosecutions, which are the preserve of the Crown Prosecution Service.