![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnq3D-tHzlIl783R86dj7X7fXKchsc-QNY0AzN9z2o7OFeQvYHJL4h_o5leo73IALfDZAaYToFMLdn8vQT_n-1VRQb87-jNLMYg_N1w0-bVEmG4O3W4cCM99Z12PJSKCvpVcKKEWQrsQ/s320/zeroharm.jpg)
Never mind injuries. Never mind deadlines. Let's just not kill anyone when we're turning this old office block into a new office block, okay?
Initially, it struck me as the kind of aim Brunel might have aspired to... not a 21st century building contractor.
But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. In Brunel's time, construction-related fatal accidents - while regrettable - would happen pretty regularly. It was dangerous work. Today, construction is much safer. Accidents still happen but they're less frequent and less serious. It's now realistic to set a goal of avoiding serious injuries.
Mind you, I'm not convinced that 'zero deaths' or 'keeping the public safe' really require a well-publicised commitment. It doesn't reassure me, anyway.