At least twice as many people die from fatal injuries at work than are victims of homicide, a report claims.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies found that at least 1,300 people died as a result of fatal occupational injuries in 2005-06 in England and Wales, compared with 765 homicide victims.
The authors argue politicians and the media should give much more attention to workplace crimes as they cause more harm than 'conventional' crimes.
Serious incidents are significantly underreported, the authors claim, blaming a 'light touch' towards regulation of businesses.
Richard Garside, director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, said: "Safety crimes are worthy of greater acknowledgement given the harm caused and the contexts within which they occur.
"This research raises important questions about what is currently defined as crime, who gets to decide, and how we as a society deal with harmful and dangerous practices."
Dr David Whyte, a report author, said: "Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement notices fell by 40 per cent and prosecutions fell by 49 per cent between 2001/02 and 2005/06.
"The collapse in HSE enforcement and prosecution sends a clear message that the government is prepared to let employers kill and maim with impunity."
New legislation was introduced in April to make it easier to prosecute company directors in the case of corporate manslaughter.
A recent case of an accident at work that did make it into the public eye was the fatal shooting of a police officer during a training exercise in Manchester. The HSE is currently investigating.
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