THOUSANDS of construction workers will down tools for several hours today while officials conduct a safety audit on major sites following another workplace death.

Almost a dozen people have been killed on Queensland building sites this year and almost one a week nationwide, prompting concerns about lax workplace conditions.

Site foreman Henrik Raja, 65, of Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, was crushed by a concrete mould at the University of Queensland at St Lucia.

The construction union said major projects across the southeast needed to be monitored regularly.

"I think the Government could do with a hell of a lot more inspectors," CFMEU workplace health and safety co-ordinator Andrew Ramsay said.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/death-sparks-workplace-safety-audit/story-fn6ck45n-1226183027317