The highest award for a
workplace accident last year was €432,000, a substantial increase on the previous year’s figure of
€332,143. The highest award in 2013 related to a fatal accident.

Commenting on these figures, Patricia Byron, CEO of the Injuries Board, noted the increasing numbers in
employment as the economic recovery gathers pace. “From a peak rate of unemployment in 2012,
increasing numbers of workers are re-joining the workforce. Perhaps reflective of this, our data shows a
year on year increase in the number of awards made as a result of accidents in the workplace. As the
economy starts to grow again, and as businesses around the country begin to expand, it is important
that a renewed focus on health and safety is cultivated.”

Continuing, Ms. Byron said “Construction activities are likely to increase, as are the numbers of people
driving for, or to and from, work. The onus is on us all – business owners, sole traders, and employees to
promote and adhere to the highest levels of health and safety compliance. While we do not tend to
receive many claims for injuries resulting from farming accidents as, in the main, most farmers are their
own employers, we are particularly cognisant of the high levels of accidents in the farming industry and
echo the advice and concerns of the Health & Safety Authority. Those driving for a living, or workers
commuting long distances, should heed the advice of agencies such as the Road Safety Authority. As the
economy grows, the health and well-being of workers needs to be at the fore to mitigate the social and
economic cost of accidents in the workplace.”

Key statistics from the Injuries Board analysis of employer liability awards in 2013 are as follows:

• Slips, trips and falls were the most common accident type accounting for almost one third
  (30.8%) of all awards for workplace accidents.

• The vast majority of awards (80%) were under €38,000.

• The average award for a workplace accident was €28,886. The average award for men was slightly higher at €29,523, while women received an average award of €27,441.

• The majority of awards were to workers in the 25 to 34 age group (31.6%).

• Men are twice as likely as women to sustain a workplace injury with men accounting for 7 in 10
  awards (69.4%), slightly up on last year, while women accounted for the remaining 3 in 10
  (30.6%) awards.

• Over the last three years, Thursdays in November have proven to be the most common days for
  workplace accidents while the least number of accidents occurred on Sunday, and the safest
  month was April.

• Dublin, Cork and Limerick were the counties with the highest number of awards, whereas
  Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Longford had the lowest.