A sector watchdog is warning that the number of deaths occurring in UK workplaces is still too high, which may increase the need for liability insurance.
The Health and Safety Executive has described the 180 fatalities which occurred in 2008-09 as far greater than what is acceptable, despite a reduction in casualties compared with the previous three months.
"It's still not good enough, three people dying at work every week is unacceptable," a spokesman for the organisation states.
In addition, he says that the effort so far is part of a much longer-term strategy to eliminate deaths and points out that 40 years ago, there were over 600 people a year being killed in the workplace.
At the moment, however, a 180 deaths a year would not be viewed as acceptable by any organisation, he concludes.
The figure of 180 fatalities for the past 12 months is 22 per cent lower than the average for the past five years, 231, which may be welcome news for public liability insurance customers.