NEW figures released by trade unions show 6,344 people suffered a major injury at work in Yorkshire in 2002-04.

And 54 died from workplace-related incidents in the same period. The injury tally was one of the highest of any region in England, Scotland or Wales.

But only one director was convicted and the penalty imposed was a fine.

Unions are now urging the government to back a bill to place legally-binding health and safety duties on company directors.

Campaigners from Transport and General (T&G) and Union of Construction, All- ied Trades and Technicians (UCATT), believe that placing duties on directors for health and safety is the only way to reduce the workplace injury and accident toll.

The Health and Safety (Directors' Duties) Bill is a private member's bill that will receive its second reading in Parliament in March.

It has widespread support from MPs from all parties, including former ministers Nick Brown, Frank Dobson, Ross Cranston and Michael Meacher.