Slips, trips and falls at work cost Sunderland almost £5million last year.
That is the estimated financial and human cost to Wearside of 295 such incidents, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which is responsible for enforcing legislation to protect staff.
Despite being seen as relatively minor accide
nts, slips, trips and falls can have devastating consequences to families and the economy.
In the North East last year, one person died and 2,196 people were injured. The cost to the region as a whole topped £35million.
The problem cost £1.1million in Easington, £1.9million in Durham City, and £1.6million in South Tyneside.
To tackle the issue, the HSE today launched its Shattered Lives campaign.
"Each year slips, trips and falls cost British society nearly £811million," said principal inspector Chris Gillies.
"But what these figures don't reflect, is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families."He added: "Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not.
"They can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and, in worst cases, fatalities.
"Shattered Lives will encourage people to change their attitudes. If you spot a hazard, don't assume somebody else will sort it out.
"Slips, trips and falls also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity."
Shattered Lives campaign will offer support to employers and employees in the construction, plant maintenance and food manufacturing and retail industries, where the incidence of injuries from slips, trips and falls is highest.
For details log on to www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives/index.htm or call 0845 345 0055
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