HEALTH and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors are to take a tough line to help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by falls.

Tony Trenear, HSE regional operations manager, said: "Falls from height cause many serious and devastating accidents. They caused nearly 50 fatal accidents and 4,500 serious major injuries in 2002-03. With simple, sensible precautions, all could have been prevented.

"In the north west, 1,200 serious injuries were caused by people falling from a height of more than two metres."

He added: "At all routine visits, our inspectors will particularly be looking out for cases where entirely sensible and reasonably practicable precautions are not in place. In these workplaces they will apply the Health and Safety Commission's enforcement policy.

"In most cases, this will be an improvement notice which requires the provision of suitable sensible precautions by a set date. In the most blatant and serious of cases, either a prohibition notice, requiring an immediate cessation of work or prosecution, could be the outcome."

HSE says legislation requires employers to take suitable and effective measures to prevent people falling more than two metres.