A MAJOR campaign to cut deaths and injuries to young people at work has been launched by union leaders.

The GMB, which represents thousands of East Lancashire workers, say two people aged between 16 and 24 have been killed in work accidents every month for the past 10 years. Another 1,200 are seriously injured in accidents.

"Every death at work demonstrates that we have not established proper values and priorities in the workplace," said GMB general secretary John Edmonds.

"Employers who are ignorant of the dangers to their workers should be educated and assisted but employers who are careless with the health of their workers should be rigorously prosecuted and punished.

"Work should enhance life not endanger it."

The union has now launched a leaflet looking at potential hazards faced by young people in the workplace.