2008 saw 13,821 killed or injured in the east of England

Every fortnight during 2008 at least one person died in the east of England, a leading watchdog asserts.

Simon Longbottom, the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) operations manager for the region, claims 266 workers were injured every week during the last twelve months.

In total, 13,821 people were killed or harmed in the workplace and the organisation is calling on businesses to improve this figure in the future.

Mr Longbottom states: "Evidence shows that where employers and employees work closely together to agree the agenda and set targets to tackle real risks, they have made significant improvements."

Among the advice offered by the HSE is guarding platform edges for staff who are working at height, securing ladders and loads and taking action to keep vehicles and pedestrians on worksites separated.

Nattasha Freeman, the president of the Institution for Occupational Safety and Health, claims those companies which do not take care of their workforce will face a 2009 which will be "tough to survive".