Workplace fatalities touch new low
Figures released by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reveal that 37 workers lost their lives in workplace accidents during 2018. Work-related fatalities fell to their lowest annual level since the establishment of the HSA in 1989.
Farming sector remains most hazardous
The agriculture sector remains the most dangerous industry to work in since reporting began. The number of work-related deaths in the farming sector fell to 15 in 2018 as against 25 in 2017. While a 40% reduction should be considered rapid progress, the 15 fatalities in the farming sector still represents 41% of total fatalities. This is a large proportion of total fatalities when it is considered that only 6 % of the workforce are employed in the agriculture sector. Farmers that carry out work on their own continues to be a substantial hazard to the health & safety of agriculture workers.
Hazardous industries
The construction industry suffered five work-related fatalities in 2018. Five workers also died in the transport and storage industries while the fishing and aquaculture industries registered four deaths last year.
Record low in 2018
HSA chief executive officer, Dr Sharon McGuinness welcomed the decline in work-related fatalities. She noted in particular that the fatality rate of 1.6 fatalities per 100,000 workers compares favourably to the 6.4 fatalities per 100,000 workers recorded in the early 1990’s.
Meeting the health & safety challenges of 2019
With the Irish economy predicted to grow in 2019, it is expected that thousands of new workers will join the workforce this year. Dr McGuinness used the announcement of the 2018 figures to urge all employers, employees and other key stakeholders to focus on worker health & safety in 2019 to ensure that workplace fatalities continue to decrease.
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