Nearly 70 people died in Scotland last year, and almost 3,800 were seriously injured as a result of a fall from height in the workplace.

A seminar for housebuilders being held in West Lothian this week aims to reduce this toll.

The Health and Safety Executive in partnership with the Scottish Housebuilders Health and Safety Forum and Homes for Scotland has organised a safety and health awareness event.

Being held at Almondvale Football Stadium, Livingston, on Wednesday, June 4 the event will cover a range of 'hot topics' including falls from vehicles, competence of machine operators, occupational health, self erecting tower cranes, industrial rope access and scaffold design.

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There will be an extensive range of speakers, exhibitors and practical demonstrations of equipment.

The event is aimed at directors, managers, key sub-contractors and designers, and aims to offer those attending clear, practical advice and guidance on how to address serious issues that can impact on business - and lives.

HSE Principal Inspector Jim Skilling, who will be attending the event said: "The toll of injury in the building industry in Scotland is a real matter for concern. Although there were no deaths in the Scottish housebuilding industry last year, the accident rate in housebuilding is double what is was in 1999/01, and accounts for 16 per cent of all fatal accidents in the construction sector throughout the UK.

"A recent programme of inspections by HSE inspectors throughout Scotland revealed unacceptable practice in almost one in three building refurbishment sites we visited, and on many sites, we had to stop dangerous activity from taking place.

"Events like this are designed to provide the key decision makers in the industry with the skills and knowledge they need to protect their workers and contractors. "

(GK/JM)