Campaign for builders to work four-day weeks to cut 40 deaths a year

Campaigners say building firms should be first to trial four-day weeks to stop construction being the deadliest industry in Britain.

Last year there were 40 building deaths - a quarter of all workplace fatalities.

A new report shows tiredness is putting the safety and even the lives of 2.3million workers at risk with nearly one in three working up to 60 hours.

Accidents and injury rates are 60% higher than in other trades and the retirement age lower because of the backbreaking work.

And the Construction Industry Trading Board warns that is causing a shortage of high skilled jobs as workers leave because of long hours before they are 50.

There are now 38,000 vacancies and 217,000 more builders will be needed by 2025 to meet demand for extra housing.

Oscar Cooper, a 31 year old construction worker from Sheffield said: “I can work for four days at a higher level than I could for five days.

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Campaigners are urging Boris Johnson to change the law (REUTERS)

“On a Friday you’re just watching the clock, desperate to go home, trying to chip off early. You’re knackered. It’s inefficient and it’s dangerous.”

The report says as a result of the hours builders suffer from sleeplessness, lack of attention and fatigue related to overwork.

It adds that accidents are also more likely to occur at the end of long shifts.

On-site building labourers have a 79% higher incidence of musculoskeletal disorder and more than eight in ten suffer mental illness including stress, depression, anxiety and trauma-related PTSD.

Renovation and extensions firm Orocco in Scotland moved to a four day week on the same pay and hours in April and it has been so successful it will now be permanent.

Joe Ryle of the 4 Day Week Campaign which compiled the study said: “Rested workers are more productive, make fewer mistakes and quality of workmanship improves.

“A four-day week would help to retain existing workers.

Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions boss Ian Waddell added: “This compelling report spells out why a shorter working week would be good for workers, employers, the environment, the NHS and our economy.

“If shorter working time can be shown to be beneficial and achievable without any loss of productivity then it is surely achievable in any industry.”