 The union studied previously unavailable HSE data |
A disproportionately high number of building workers who died in 2008 in industrial accidents were employed by small firms, a report says.
Union Ucatt says that small companies represent a third of the construction industry, but accounted for half of UK deaths of building workers last year.
It wants tighter regulation and tougher penalties, including prison, for bosses who fail to ensure health and safety.
Ucatt examined information from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Alan Ritchie, Ucatt general secretary, said small companies often failed to take safety seriously, and were rarely inspected.
He wants firms to be forced to appoint a director for safety standards, who could face jail for the most serious breaches in which a worker is killed.
The union is asking workers to hold a two minute silence at noon in memory of those who have died at work.
A spokesman said: "Everyone in construction knows of colleagues and friends who have been maimed or killed while at work.
"International Workers Memorial Day is an opportunity to come together and remember these people, but it is also an opportunity to demand far higher levels of safety on construction sites. Every death is preventable."
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