ST HELENS saw the fewest work place injuries in Merseyside last year, according to new Health and Safety Executive figures.

There were three deaths and 5,563 serious injuries in the workplace throughout the north west in 2009, with St Helens accounting for 125 of the accidents.

St Helens workers were also judged by the HSE as having taken the fewest days off following an accident.

Despite these statistics, the HSE still wants to bring down the number of accidents in St Helens.

It is encouraging businesses to visit the Shattered Lives website, where they will be able to get solutions to help manage slip, trip and fall hazards.

Slips and trips are the most common cause of major workplace injury in Britain and cost the country an estimated £800 million a year.

The HSE has launched the Shattered Lives campaign to help reduce slip, trips and falls in the workplace.

The hard-hitting initiative is intended to raise awareness of the impact work-related accidents can have.

Mike Cross, Health and Safety Executive head of operations in the North West, said: “These figures highlight the very real and serious nature of preventable deaths and injuries in the workplace.

“Slips, trips and falls might sound funny, but they shatter the lives of thousands of British workers every year.”

Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, added: “Every one of the deaths caused by slips, trips and falls were preventable. The key is proper risk assessment and control measures.”

For more advice on the prevention of injuries in the workplace you can visit hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives.