Construction workers remembered

Construction union Ucatt took part in a series of events in the North West on Thursday to mark this year's International Workers Memorial Day.

Ucatt held memorial services in both Liverpool and Manchester to remember those fatally injured on construction sites in the region.

During 2009 and 2010, Ucatt said 42 construction workers were killed at work, including six workers in the North West.

The union added provisional figures for last year and 2011 indicate that the numbers of deaths have increased by 15%.

George Guy, Ucatt's acting general secretary, said: "Far too many workers are killed at work and most deaths generate barely a mention in the media. Workers Memorial Day is the one opportunity workers have every year to remember colleagues who were killed or injured at work."

In Liverpool, Ucatt held a service in Hunter Street in the city centre with speakers including George Guy, Louise Ellman, Steve Farley, national officer of the Public Commercial Services, and Rob Vondy from the Health & Safety Executive.

In Manchester, Ucatt's regional organiser, Ren Davies, attended an event at the Mechanics Institute at 103 Princess Street. This was followed by speeches in the Peace Gardens.

The Health & Safety Executive said 28 April was chosen for International Workers Memorial Day as it is the anniversary of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the USA and also commemorates the day that 28 people were killed in a construction incident in Connecticut.

Since 1989, trade unions in the UK, America, Asia, Europe and Africa have organised events on and around 28 April.

International Workers' Memorial Day originally started in Canada.