'A substantial decline' - Almost 30 Irish people died in work-related incidents in 2022

Dozens of people in Ireland lost their lives in work-related incidents this year. 

That's according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), which has confirmed 26 people died in 2022 compared to 38 in 2021, representing the lowest figure recorded since the group was established over 30 years ago. 

Fatal incidents happened to victims from all age groups; one person under the age of 17 died in a work-related incident this year while the 55-64 and 65 years and over groups represented 69% of fatalities. 

The leading causes of fatalities were falling from a height (9 fatalities) and loss of control of a vehicle or its attachments (7 fatalities), while five people died after being struck by a heavy object or heavy load and one person drowned.  

Farming remains the sector with the highest number of fatalities, with 12 recorded this year compared to 10 in 2021. 

Commenting on the HSA’s provisional data on fatalities in Irish workplaces, Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive at the Health and Safety Authority said, "It is positive to see such a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2022. However, our view is that every work-related death is preventable and vigilance around health and safety in Irish workplaces is still imperative. 

"Christmas this year for the families and friends of all those killed in workplace incidents will have been a difficult one and our thoughts are with them." 

He continued: "We see a large number of fatalities relating to working at height and vehicle handling. We also know from the data that the age groups 55 and over represents 69% of all fatalities in 2022, with these age groups representing 19% of employees in Ireland. As Ireland’s labour force is aging, we must all look to our work place practices, and ensure that health and safety is being prioritised across all workforce age groups.” 

Dublin, Galway and Wexford recorded the highest level of fatalities with three in each county, while no fatalities were recorded in counties Carlow, Clare, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Wicklow. 

Almost all of the 26 fatalities reported in 2022 were male (plus 1 female), while 10 were employees, 12 were self-employed and three were non-workers. 

The transport and storage sector recorded a decline of 83% with one fatality in 2022, compared to six in 2021, while manufacturing recorded no fatalities in 2022 compared to five in 2021. 

Mark Cullen added: "We are urging employers and their workers to think about the task you’re asking others to carry out, or that you are about to undertake. Complete a risk assessment and make sure the right precautions are in place and nobody is putting themselves or others in danger. As evident in our records for 2022, if working with heavy machinery or at a height, be particularly vigilant and take the appropriate care." 

In relation to the construction sector which saw a decline in fatalities in 2022, Mr Cullen said, "The construction sector saw a decline of 30% with 7 fatalities in 2022 compared to ten in 2021. We welcome this lower number, but are all too aware of this industry being one of the most dangerous. We would ask that smaller sites and contractors in particular continue to ensure that their own and their workers’ safety is a priority every day.” 

While the confirmed number of work-related fatalities this year is the lowest recorded, ongoing investigations may see the reported/recorded number of fatalities increase.