There were reductions in fatalities in the agriculture sector, from 21 in 2012 down to 16 in 2013; the fishing sector, from 7 in 2012 to 4 in 2013; and the water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities sector with 4 fatalities in 2012 and 1 reported last year.

The construction sector recorded the second highest number of fatalities with 11 killed, making it the third year in a row that fatalities increased in the sector. The main causes were the movement of vehicles on site and falls from height.

Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority said, stated that this was a cause for concern: “We welcome any news that the construction sector is recovering, but I am concerned at the increased fatality rates. The industry did previously have a poor safety record and, to its credit, industry stakeholders got together and worked on improving standards. We cannot allow those gains to be eroded, especially in the context of economic recovery and the anticipated increase in construction activity.”

The number of fatalities in the Transportation and Storage sector increased from 1 in 2012 to 4 in 2013. Incidents involving vehicles at work accounted for 20 fatalities in 2013. 

O’Halloran said: “The overall trend in fatalities has been decreasing for the last 10 years. However the fact is that each year people lose their lives because of a work-related accident. This is a tragedy for the victims, their families, friends and the wider community. Generally our investigations show that these tragedies could have been prevented. The likelihood of an accident occurring can be greatly reduced by ensuring that safety is at the core of all work activity, anything less is an invitation to disaster.”