Denise Kitchener, chief executive of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, said: "A 'name and shame' system should be introduced for companies which ignore health and safety.

"Companies which fail to report accidents should also have points awarded against them — the more points a company is awarded, the more they have to pay in insurance, for example.

"Failing to report should also result in on-the-spot fines. Any company boss concerned about profit will soon sit up and take note.

"Reporting injuries could lead to a safer working environment."