The number of people killed at work in the West Midlands over the last year has nearly halved, but employers were today urged to do more after accidents claimed more than 13,000 casualties.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the last year has seen more than 250 work-related accidents across the region each week – an annual total of 13,106 people being killed or injured. There were deaths in Dudley, Cannock Chase and Stafford, with two fatalities in Sandwell.

The 2008/09 statistics from the safety watchdog show 12 people were killed at work across the region while 2,634 suffered major injuries and 10,460 suffered injuries requiring more than three days’ absence from work.

The figures compare with 22 fatalities, 2,693 major injuries and 11,353 cases requiring more than three days’ absence in 2007/08.

This year’s figures meant 2.7 million working days were lost in the West Midlands at a massive cost to the economy and businesses.

Today the HSE warned that if employers compromised the health and safety of their employees then it will not hesitate in taking enforcement action.

Last year the organisation prosecuted 119 offences committed by West Midlands firms for breaching health and safety legislation and took action against hundreds more by issuing prohibition and improvement notices.

Rosi Edwards, the HSE’s West Midlands regional director, said: “Behind these statistics are the real life stories of thousands of people and families dealing with real hardship, pain and suffering.

“The New Year is an opportune time to reflect on the number of incidents in the past 12 months, and decide to try to stop the same patterns being rep-eated.

“Slips, trips and falls from height are consistently the chief causes of death and serious injury.

“Many of these injuries are entirely preventable.

“We urge businesses to take practical action to manage the risks people face in their day-to-day work.”

Britain boasts one of the best health and safety records in Europe but, with 180 workplace deaths nationally last year, the HSE warns that there is still work to be done.