A new survey from the Health and Safety Executive reported that 90 per cent of business leaders believe that people are the most important asset to an organisation.

”Good health and safety is beneficial” 80%of respondents said. One reason for this is that the cost of preventing an accident can be less expensive than the financial consequences of an incident.

On average, employees think that around 3,000 people were seriously injured or killed at work during 2008 - the actual figure stands at 136,000.

Commenting on the survey, chair of the HSE Judith Hackitt said the new HSE strategy launched with Secretary of State for Work and Pensions James Purnell will encourage employers to keep health and safety at the top of their agenda during the recession.

Mr Purnell said: "The new HSE strategy recognises that a significant challenge now faces everyone with a stake in health and safety. We need to do everything we can to drive down the toll of death and injury."

RB Comment: Go to www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/strategiesandplans/index.htm to obtain full details of the new “Be Part of the Solution” strategy and see who has signed up.