The number of people who lose their lives at work in Britain has dropped sharply by 85% over the past 40 years, from over 650 every year in 1974 to a record low of 133 today, new figures reveal. The number of injuries at work has also reduced considerably by 77% over the same time period, from 336,701 to 78,222.

Last year there were 27 fatal injuries to agriculture workers, 42 in construction and four in waste and recycling.

In the East of England, fatalities fell from 19 in 2011/12 to 16 in 2012/13. Over the same period, the number of major injuries reduced from 2,116 to 1,923.

Minister of state for health and safety, Mark Harper, said: “Our workplace safety record is now the envy of the world, with businesses and governments queuing up to tap into our expertise.”