New figures from the HSE show the number of people killed at work in the construction industry fell last year, but deaths from mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, continue to rise.
Last year there were 42 fatal injuries to workers in construction, lower than the average figure of 46. The latest rate of fatal injury is 1.98 per 100,000 workers, compared to a five-year average of 2.07.
However, the HSE statistics showed the number of deaths from mesothelioma has increased - 2,535 people died of the disease in 2012, up from 2,291 in 2011.
Across all sectors the number of workers killed at work in Britain last year has fallen to the lowest annual rate on record - 133 workers were fatally injured between April 2013 and March 2014, compared with 150 in the previous year.
Judith Hackitt, the chair of HSE, said, "The release of the annual statistics always leads to mixed emotions. Sadness for the loss of 133 lives, and sympathy for their families, friends and workmates, but also a sense of encouragement that we continue to make progress in reducing the toll of suffering.
"Whilst these are only provisional figures, they confirm Britain's performance in health and safety as world class. For the last eight years we have consistently recorded one of the lowest rates of fatal injuries to workers among the leading industrial nations in Europe."
Hackitt added, "The high numbers of deaths relating to mesothelioma are a reminder of historically poor standards of workplace health and safety, which decades later are causing thousands of painful, untimely deaths each year.
"Whilst we now recognise and are better positioned to manage such health risks, there statistics are a stark reminder of the importance of keeping health standards in the workplace on a par with those we apply to safety."
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