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A TOTAL OF 39 people died from workplace accidents last year, with 17 of those as a result of vehicles.
Last year saw a drop of almost 20% in terms of workplace deaths when compared to 2017, when 48 people died, according to the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The farming sector had the biggest share of deaths, with 15 people dying in work-related incidents last year. Five people died while working in construction.
Tractors were involved in the deaths of six people, while cars, refuse trucks and forklifts were also involved in fatalities.
The HSA also finished 15 prosecutions last year, resulting in total fines of €705,972.
Junior Minister for Trade Pat Breen welcomed the reduction in deaths, but said that each life lost caused great trauma and personal suffering for families every year
“We should remember that any improvement in numbers provides little comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the dozens of Irish people whose lives were cut short this year while doing their job,” he said.
HSA CEO Dr Sharon McGuinness warned that vehicles were the greatest threat to people in the Irish workplace.
“Whether it’s a farmer driving a tractor in a yard, or a truck driver delivering a load, across all sectors, incidents involving vehicles accounted for almost half – or 44% – of all deaths last year,” she said.
The worrying trend is continuing with six deaths provisionally recorded so far this year in the transportation sector.
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When I was 14 years old I got a summer job on a building site.
I was an extra pair of hands at best.
One of the bosses drove a teleporter over my pride and joy which was my mountain bike.
He simply couldn’t see it.
Every part of my bike was broken.
It was made of metal mostly!
It really made me think at the time.
I’m not much more visible than my bike was!
I’m sure practices have gotten better but when you’re dealing with heavy machinery.
There are blind spots everywhere!
There is also typically pressures on the worker to get things done quickly.
I’m not suggesting that these deaths are ok but they were kind of inevitable when I was 14. 20 years ago.
Surely the training needs to become better in both operation, obedience and avoidance of heavy machinery when on foot!
A lot of farmers attitudes to workplace safety is shocking when they are working on jobs sites. Controversial opinion, maybe, but those numbers don’t surprise me.
@Nollaig Elliot:
Not at all controversial – sadly true.
39 too many. Very sad to hear.
Were those 17 vehicles those new-fangled autonomous vehicles, or were there actually drivers involved? Because the headline and the article here goes above and beyond to avoid placing any blame or responsibility on drivers, as usual.
Caused by vehicles? Not by the drivers?
Because a vehicle was involved doesn’t mean the driver was at fault. Some pedestrians make no effort at all when it comes to making themselves visible to drivers.
And what I notice as pedestrian, all safety instruction, toobox talks, HSA information, HSE, SHEQ goes out the window when the site workers go outside in a truck .. Speeding,. blast through red lights, harassing pedestrians, close passing cyclists. Why do employers think safety stops when they go out the gate.
During the course of my employment I work at a number of different manufacturing plants, most have excellent safe working practices, but there is one plant I go to and it is like stepping back in time. I hate going there. I’ve reported it, more than once. I don’t get sent there anymore
How is ok to hang on to a handle (pole) at the back of a moving refuse truck Stupid
Aaa
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