Between 2010 and 2011, the highest number of deaths related to the building industry were in the Midlands, North-West, Yorkshire, London and Eastern England.

This is according to research from the Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (Ucatt), which revealed there were 50 fatal occurrences in the sector during this timeframe, which equates to a 22 per cent increase on the 12 months beforehand.

Eight people died when they were hit by a moving vehicle, while mobile or falling objects killed six individuals.

In addition, 13 workers passed on after a fall from height, which has commonly been a cause of death in the sector, while 13 employees were killed due to collapses, which was more infrequent in the past.

Construction has the greatest number of workplace deaths amongst all British industries, but the growth in fatalities is concerning as activity in the sector was dampened during the timeframe, Ucatt noted.

The organisation is the largest union in this industry and represents employees throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland.