Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 20 fatalities in 2023.
Farming continues to account for the highest number of work-related fatalities in Ireland.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 20 fatalities in 2023 with farming accounting for 16 of these.
This compares to 13 farming fatalities in 2022.
Health and Safety Authority (HSA) statistics for last year indicate a high level of fatalities in farming and construction (11 fatalities), with these two sectors accounting for over two-thirds of all fatalities in 2023.
The work-related fatalities in these sectors relate to high-risk work including working with vehicles and falls from height.
Of the 43 total work-related fatalities in 2023, the self-employed accounted for 53%, according to the HSA.
Working with vehicles (13 fatalities) and falling from height (11) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2023.
Co Cork accounted for the highest records of fatalities in 2023 (seven fatalities), followed by Co Dublin (five) and Co Kerry (five).
High-risk sector
Commenting on the HSA’s data on fatalities in Irish workplaces, Mark Cullen, assistant chief executive of the HSA, said: “Farming, a high-risk sector, continues to account for the highest number of fatalities (37%) with over half of victims aged 65 and over.
“We know many farmers are self-employed and often work alone”.
“Therefore, there is a clear need for them to consider the work they plan on carrying out themselves, and where they may need assistance from qualified and trained workers, ensuring the appropriate risk assessments are completed in advance of the work being carried out.”
With the HSA 2023 records showing a significant percentage of fatalities relating to the self-employed, with this group accounting for 53% or 23 of all fatalities in the last year, Mr Cullen added: “The self-employed, along with all duty holders and employers, have a responsibility when it comes to health and safety.
“Last year we saw that the self-employed accounted for over half of all reported fatalities.
“Undertaking risk assessments and making sure the appropriate controls are in place are critically important to ensuring a safe workplace and will undoubtedly protect workers.”
Preventable
Where there is a known risk, such as working with vehicles and machinery or working at height, Mr Cullen said that “duty holders must take preventative actions to ensure they themselves or workers are safe”.
“We are urging the self-employed, employers and duty holders to prioritise health and safety in their workplaces in 2024 to ensure fatalities don’t happen,” he said.
“Every work-related fatality is preventable.”
(Source – Irish Examiner – Farming – Kathleen O Sullivan – 08/01/2024)