Has Health and safety got a lot to answer for?

When my kids ask me what it was like 'in the old days', I smile with the realisation that 20 years is forever in their young minds.  It's when I look at the famous image of the steel workers sitting on the RSJ, having their lunch while working on the building of the Empire State Building, it becomes very evident how health and safety issues have improved in the construction Industry in recent years.
This building that was constructed in 1929 and completed in 1931 was 102 floors and 38 metres high. 

When looking at the many images available it is easy to look in amazement at the conditions that they were expected to work in.  Perhaps it was mind over matter or just a case of needing the work!  Yet with all this, statistics show that only 5 people died!  One can only wonder how many more were covered up.

When looking back on the days when I used to push plaster up the wall for a living the world is a different place.  In those days Plasterers used to be expected to lay floors as part of their role, Plumbers were expected to be Gas-fitters while 1st fix Carpenters were expected to carry out a Joiners role and make the windows before they fitted them.  Who-ever had heard of UPVC windows?  All roles have changed beyond comparison.

The only thing that seems to be dragging behind is Health and Safety.
In Afghanistan 448 British soldiers have been killed since 2001 while 760 construction workers have been killed during the same period.  People are still suffering from ill health due to matters such as asbestos, lifting weights, noise and dermatitis.
Even with all the regulations that we have put upon us such as the CDM regulations 1994 and RIDDOR 1995.  Now we are expected to wear the correct PPE for any given circumstance to ensure our safety as much as possible.  Undoubtedly, the use of welfare provisions such as decent toilets and eating areas make for a happier workplace.  But we mustn't allow any room for complacency.

In comparison, the 'Burj Khalifa' in Dubai is 828m tall and was built between 2004 -2009 with 1 recorded death!  This was the tallest building in the world at that time.
Construction has changed beyond recognition.  It's about time Health and Safety caught up with it!