Fatal Accidents on Construction Sites Spark Demand for Political Action
The Swedish construction industry is calling for urgent political action following a disturbing rise in fatal accidents on construction sites in the country. In an open letter to Ulf Kristersson (M), Byggnads och Byggföretagen has demanded a meeting with the prime minister to discuss what political measures can be implemented to prevent further tragic incidents.
According to the latest statistics, 17 people have lost their lives in the construction industry this year. The most recent incidents include a tragic elevator accident at a construction site in Sundbyberg which claimed the lives of five people, and a separate workplace accident at Northvolt in Skellefteå which resulted in the death of a construction worker. Since 2013, the total number of fatalities on Swedish construction sites has reached at least 113.
“Political initiatives are needed. The parties may have different input values in the discussion, but completely agree that the construction industry must be attractive, healthy and safe,” stated Catharina Elmsäter-Svärd, from Byggföretagen.
The gravity of the situation has prompted strong words from Johan Lindholm, union chairman of Byggnads, who emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue. “We are talking about an average of over one construction worker a month who is not allowed to come home to his loved ones. It is completely unacceptable. If it was about doctors, journalists or any other profession, a crisis commission would have been appointed a long time ago. Politicians must listen to the parties and act to prevent people from dying in our workplaces,” Lindholm said in a press release.
The construction industry’s plea for action highlights the pressing need for measures to ensure the safety and well-being of workers in the sector. With the number of fatalities continuing to rise, addressing these concerns is of paramount importance to prevent further tragedies on construction sites across Sweden.