HSENI's latest Annual Report and Statement of Accounts, covering the period April 2006 to March 2007, has shown that over the five year period from 2002 to 2007, the number of injuries at work being reported has fallen from 4,467 to 3,524, representing a 21 per cent reduction.

Professor Peter McKie, HSENI's Chairman, said: "This is a very significant reduction in the number of reported work-related injuries. Whilst one must always remain cautious against reading too much into statistics, I see the continuing downward trend as a clear endorsement of the innovative and challenging approach being adopted by HSENI since its establishment as the regional authority for health and safety in 1999."

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He added: "This approach is based on three complementary strands; the provision of advice and assistance; the recognition of good practice and the relentless pursuit of those who blatantly flout the law. This has proved to be a very successful model and one which we will continue to build on into the future."

HSENI's field staff carried out over 5,000 inspection and investigation visits last year and served nearly 250 enforcement notices which either stopped unsafe work or required improvements in working conditions. In addition, HSENI completed four prosecutions and censured one crown body following an investigation into a fatal accident at a water treatment works at Eglinton.

(CL/JM)