Public liability insurance holders have been told that managers must take health and safety seriously in order for the business as a whole to do so.
Paul Darby, a health and safety expert for Pivotal Performance, told Pandct.com that in virtually every instance where someone has been hurt or killed at work, blame can be pinned on decisions which have been made at the top of the firm.
"Yet employees are hurt and killed at work all the time, often when companies have ignored rules and guidelines that are there to protect people. I call on all directors and managers in manufacturing to make 2010 their safest year ever," he added.
Mr Darby also commented that, while employers have a duty of care to employees when it comes to health and safety, staff must also work safely and cooperate with procedures.
Earlier this year, the Health and Safety Executive asked public liability insurance holders to make sure that they made 2010 the best year yet for reducing the number of injuries and deaths in the workplace.