Every 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work, according to the executive's latest figures.

To highlight "devastating consequences" of slips, trips and falls in the workplace, it has launched the Shattered Lives campaign.

In the South East last year, 5,695 people were hurt at work, costing the local community �102.5m, the HSE said.

What these figures don't reflect is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families Andrew Moore HSE inspector

Andrew Moore, HSE inspector in Oxfordshire, said: "Each year slips, trips and falls cost British society nearly �811m.

"But what these figures don't reflect is the extent to which these injuries affect individual workers and their families.

"Slips, trips and falls can be viewed as being minor, funny accidents but the effects are not.

"It can lead to major injuries, and a lifetime of disability or time off work and in worst cases fatalities.

"They also shatter businesses through costs such as employee absence, sick pay and reduced productivity."

The campaign is aimed at encouraging people to change their attitude.