EMPLOYERS in North Yorkshire need to work harder at keeping their workers safe, according to Britain’s safety watchdog.

Research by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that last year, 33 work-related incidents occurred across the region each week, with an annual total of 1,737 people being killed or injured.

The 2008-9 statistics show three people were killed at work across North Yorkshire, while 425 sustained major injuries and a further 1,309 suffered injuries requiring more than three days absence. The figures compare with two fatalities, 452 major injuries and 1,397 cases of injuries requiring more than three days absence in 2007-8.

Last year, the HSE prosecuted 119 firms across Yorkshire and the Humber for breaching health and safety legislation, and took action against hundreds more by issuing Prohibition and Improvement Notices.

David Snowball, HSE’s regional director for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Behind these statistics are the real life stories of people and families dealing with real hardship, pain and suffering.

“We should pause to reflect as a new year arrives on the number of incidents in the past 12 months, and what we can do to stop the pattern repeating.

“Every employee has the right to return home from work safely, in one piece and without their health being harmed by their job.”