MORE people have been killed and injured in workplace accidents in Greater Manchester over the past 12 months.

Statistics just released by the Health and Safety Executive show that there were 10 deaths - an increase of three - and the number of workers injured jumped from 6,551 to 7,204.

Across the north west as a whole, there were 28 deaths and more than 19,100 injuries - an average of 368 incidents a week.

In Lancashire there were nine people killed and 4,140 work-related accidents; in Cheshire there were five people killed and 2,929 accidents; in Cumbria there were three deaths and 1,386 injuries, and Merseyside there was one death and 3,476 accidents.

The HSE says the grim figures are a stark reminder to the region's employers and their staff that they should resolve to make their workplaces safer this year.

North west manager David Sowerby said: "Behind these statistics are cases of real suffering, and for some, hardship through loss of income.

"We are asking that businesses take practical action to manage the risks people face in their day to day work."

Inspections

The HSE announced in October that surprise inspections of workplaces could be carried out in a bid to help slash the annual death toll.

Among tragedies last year was that of father of two Brian Miller 38, from Denton, who died when he was crushed by machinery at military bridge-makers WFEL, in Heaton Chapel, Stockport.

Irlam-based 3D Scaffolding was fined after 17-year old Steven Burke fell 50ft to his death from scaffolding which inspectors said was dangerous.

Mr Burke of Levenshulme, Manchester, who was tipped to be an international karate champion, suffered fatal head and abdominal injuries.

Steven died two weeks after bosses were served with a warning notice because two safety harnesses were in poor condition. He was wearing a harness when he fell, but it was not clipped to the scaffolding, and his supervisor was underqualified.

Last week, sports drinks firm MP Bio Science International was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 costs after a worker's hand was severely injured by machinery. The firm based in Buxton, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty of failing to take measures to prevent access to a dangerous part of machinery following the accident in August last year when an employee tried to unblock a jammed machine.

HSE manger Mr Sowerby said: "Each year at this time, we reflect on the number of incidents in the preceding 12 months, and each year the same patterns are repeated.

Avoidable

"Again, our inspectors have found that falling from height and being struck by falling or moving objects were among the chief causes of death and injury.

"If workplaces could eliminate these factors, both of them avoidable, these startling figures would be hugely reduced. HSE is here to address the very serious health and safety issues at the root of these statistics."

The HSE is urging businesses to act in specific areas including using safe platforms with guarded edges for working at height; securing ladders properly where they have to be used; securing loads before moving them, and laying out workplaces to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart.

Mr Sowerby said: "Simple assessments of risk, ease of tasks, accessibility, exposure to harmful substances and training can prevent many incidents."