The union discovered that last year the number of inspections of construction sites in Scotland made by the Health and Safety Executive fell 30 per cent.

In 2013/14 there were just 881 inspections in Scotland, compared to 1,248 in 2012/13 and 1,250 in 2011/12. The fall coincided with the industry beginning to emerge from recession and an increase in activity in the industry.

Construction is the most dangerous industry in the UK, and in the year concerned there were five construction fatalities in Scotland.

Harry Frew, regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “Without the expectation of inspections, construction employers are even more likely to ignore safety laws which put lives at risk and will lead to more injuries on construction sites.

“The HSE’s budget has been under attack and has been cut by a third since 2010, but that still does not explain why there has been such a sharp drop in inspections in Scotland. Construction workers need to have answers.”

Although the number of inspections fell 30 per cent in Scotland the overall figure across Britain increased. There were a total of 11,303 inspections in 2013/14 an increase of 6.8 per cent.

One of the fatalities during the year in the H&SE statistics was Norman Diamond, 60, of Kelty.

A spokesman for HSE said: “Inspection is one of a range of techniques used by HSE for improving health and safety in the construction industry. Focusing on inspection numbers gives an inaccurate picture and does not reflect all the work being carried out by HSE across the country.

“In addition to inspection, HSE investigates accidents, cases of ill health, and concerns about unsafe construction activities. We also influence in the boardroom and work jointly with industry bodies and trade unions in many other ways.

“There have been long term improvements in the health and safety performance of the construction sector. The rate of major injuries in the construction industry is currently at its lowest level ever, however the industry remains high risk.

“Everyone has a part to play to further reduce the unnecessary injuries and ill health on construction projects and HSE continues to work with industry partners, including UCATT, to achieve further improvements.”