CALLS have been made for the city council to consider signing up to a charter to improve safety standards on construction sites.

Councillors at Brighton and Hove City Council’s meeting on Thursday voted to support the Unite the Union Construction Charter and for the authority to consider signing up to the scheme, which aims to improve working conditions in the construction industry.

It follows the death of 55-year-old carpenter Dave Clark, who went into a coma and was paralysed after falling through a gap in a first floor ceiling while working at the Stanmer Park stables building site in September 2014.

Green councillor Phelim McCafferty said: “This is an issue that has sadly reared its ugly head even in our city.

“This is an issue that affects far too many working people and their lives.

“We need tough legal penalties for companies who take risks with their workers lives…so that people think twice when it comes to the health and safety of their workforce.”

In her maiden speech at the council meeting, Labour councillor Nancy Platts said by supporting the charter, the council could help to lead the way for policy change at a national level.

She said: “No decent employer or local authority should be reliant on the courage of one employee to whistle blow when they see practices that risk the safety of their colleagues or the public.

“According to the Health and Safety Executive, there were 30 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry in 2016/2017.

“This charter offers us the opportunity to protect construction workers in Brighton and Hove from the risk of death or injury.”

Conservative councillor Lee Wares raised concerns about the effect signing up to the charter could have on large projects such as the Hyde housing scheme, the Valley Gardens development and others in the city.

He said the proposal by the Labour group “skirts around” other effects signing up to the charter may have on relationships with contractors and the delivery and cost of such projects.

A report is expected to be produced for consideration by members of the policy, resources and growth committee regarding the council’s options for signing up to the charter.

Millionaire property developer Mike Holland and his site foreman Grant Oakes, who were in charge of the Stanmer Park project, were both jailed for nine months last year.

They were found guilty of manslaughter by gross negligence following Mr Clark’s death.