People breaching health and safety regulations in the workplace can be given on-the-spot fines of up to $1,000 under a new law approved by MPs.

The Occupational Safety and Health Amendment 2009 passed its third reading in the House of Assembly on Friday.

Health Minister Nelson Bascome told MPs that Bermuda was seeing too many workplace accidents, including "one death and several near-misses" in the past year.

"One death is far too many when in most cases all that's required is a little vigilance," he said. "It concerns me greatly that not enough care is taken by our workers in some cases and employers in other cases."

He said Bermuda had 11 environmental health officers and two health and safety inspectors, whose powers would be enhanced by the new law.

The Minister said five health and safety investigations were currently ongoing. "All five of these could end up in court," he added.

Shadow Health Minister Louise Jackson said the legislation was much needed after a "slew" of industrial accidents, including one last Thursday at The Royal Gazette printingpressinvolving a 29-year-old male worker, who suffered a cut right hand but no permanent injuries.

The new legislation means health and safety regulations will no longer have to be published in full in the Official Gazette but will be placed at the Bermuda National Library and other locations and will be posted on the Government website.

The act gives authority to health and safety inspectors to issue tickets for offences under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982.