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36m working days lost last year

01/11/2007

A total of 36 million working days were lost last year due to work-related ill-health and injury, figures have revealed today.

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) said in 2006/7 about 2.2 million people were suffering from an illness caused or made worse by their current or past health.

Its report also revealed that 241 people were killed at work, a rate of 0.8 per cent of 100,000 people.

In response to the figures the HSC said they show that companies are not on track to meet ill-health targets under the public service agreement.

A total of 1,141 offences were prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive last year and local authorities prosecuted a further 257 offences.

Industry was fined over £13 million for failing to meet health and safety laws.

"Never mind banning conkers or Christmas decorations - look at these figures, this is what real health and safety is all about," said HSC chair Judith Hackitt.

"Employers have a legal duty to protect their employees and visible leadership from the top of the organisation can truly influence the health and safety culture in our changing work environments. To make workplaces in 21st century Britain healthier and safer we all need to work together to do better."