Employers who fail to implement effective safety measures may be risking tragedy, according to one sector authority.
David Sowerby, regional director for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the north-west, says that many deaths in workplaces could be prevented with foresight, which may boost the need for employers liability insurance.
"There are families throughout the region who have been cruelly robbed of a loved one in incidents that in many cases were entirely preventable," he explains.
Mr Sowerby adds that the 22 people who died in the area over the last 12 months should be honoured with a decrease in the number of fatalities in workplaces.
The expert says that in 12 months' time he does not want to be talking about another "tragic" rise in accidents which could have been avoided.
Dr David Snowball, regional director for HSE Yorkshire and the North East, recently reiterated Mr Sowerby's comments when pointing out that "simple and sensible" precautions are the key to saving lives.