WORK-related accidents claimed the lives of 55 people in 2015, according to figures released by the Health and Safety Authority.
This is exactly the same number of fatalities that occurred in 2014.
Fatalities in agriculture were down by 40%, with 18 deaths reported compared to 30 in 2014. However, construction fatalities increased from eight in 2014 to 11 in 2015 and the fishing sector also saw an increase from one in 2014 to five in 2015.
Incidents involving vehicles were the main cause of fatal accidents in the workplace, accounting for 21 of the total. Fifteen people were killed as a result of falls from height, the second most common cause of death.
Two-thirds of work-related deaths (37 of 55) occurred in businesses with fewer than 10 employees, mainly in agriculture, construction and fishing.
There were four child fatalities in 2015, all of which occurred in agriculture.
The county with the highest number of fatalities in 2015 was Cork with 10 reported, followed by Donegal with six.
Brian Higgisson, assistant chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority, said, “All work-related deaths are tragic and while we must cautiously welcome the reduction in agriculture fatalities, it is still the most dangerous occupation and that needs to change.
“There are high levels of safety and health awareness in Irish workplaces and we must ensure that this translates to changes in behaviour and fewer accidents in all the sectors this year.”
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.