I AM writing to encourage employers, and employees, to think more about how they could prevent slips, trips and falls at work.

These incidents are often treated as trivial, even comical, but they are no joke to those who suffer major injuries, time off work and a lifetime of disability.

Sometimes they even result in fatal injuries.

In the North- East in 2008-09 there were 714 major injuries and 1,404 incidents that led to employees having to take three days or more off work after slips, trips and falls from height.

This is why the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in partnership with local authorities, is running its Shattered Lives campaign to raise awareness of the hazards and to encourage employers to take action to reduce the risks.

HSE estimates that slips, trips and falls from height cost society about £800m annually. The recent recession means these costs are likely to be felt more keenly, but reducing the likelihood of incidents needn’t be an additional financial burden.

Actions as simple as changing how floors are mopped or making sure the right access equipment is used for work at height may make a difference.

For more information, visit hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives.

David Cole, HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety, Health and Safety Executive (North-East), Newcastle.