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Construction deaths more than doubled last year with falls from heights being the leading cause

Overall, 46 people died in workplace accidents in 2019 and agriculture remains the most dangerous sector in which to work.

shutterstock_97965908 File photo Shutterstock / Christian Lagerek Shutterstock / Christian Lagerek / Christian Lagerek

CONSTRUCTION DEATHS IN Ireland increased by 140% in 2019, rising from five to 12, according to provisional statistics from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Falls from heights are the leading cause of construction worker deaths, and fatalities are more common in smaller construction companies with fewer than 10 employees.

Overall, 46 people died in workplace accidents in Ireland in 2019 – an 18% rise from the previous year when 39 people died.

Vehicles, falls from heights, drowning and getting trapped or crushed were the main cause of fatal injuries.

HSA Graph1 Five most common causes of fatalities HSA HSA

Agriculture remains the most dangerous sector in which to work with 18 deaths, up from 15 in 2018, the HSA said.

Older farmers are most at risk and 13 victims were over 60 years of age with 10 of these over 70 and two over 80.

Farming deaths occurred throughout 2019, with three each in January, April, July and September.

The deaths were associated with being trapped or crushed (seven); struck by a vehicle (two); drowning (two); struck by falling object (two); and other (five).

Livestock were involved in six fatalities, in each case the animals involved were cattle.

Tractors were involved in the majority of workplace vehicle incidents last year, claiming five lives. Trucks, loaders, trailers, teleporters, quads, trams, fork lifts, road sweepers, and dumpers were also involved.

More male deaths 

The figures also show that men die on the job at much higher rates than women, with the majority of deaths – 44 – impacting males compared to two females – both non-workers – in 2019.

Meanwhile, six fatalities occurred among people under 35 years – including three children – representing 13% of the overall total.

Wexford had the highest number of fatalities with seven deaths in 2019, followed by six deaths in Dublin and five in Cork. Cavan, Longford, Leitrim, Laois, Meath, Offaly, Sligo and Westmeath had no workplace deaths last year.

3-graphs-jan-2020-v2 HSA HSA

April was the most dangerous month with six deaths, while November had no reported fatalities.

3-graphs-jan-2020-v2 HSA HSA

Commenting on the figures, HSA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Sharon McGuinness, expressed concern that construction deaths increased from five in 2018 to 12 in 2019.

“The figures show that the number of construction deaths have increased to levels not seen since they last spiked in 2015, when falls from a height were also the biggest trigger in fatal injuries,” McGuinness said. 

“This is a worrying trend and shows that without proper risk assessments and health and safety considerations, ultimately a worker may pay the price with their life.”

Since 2008, 107 fatal incidents have occurred in the construction sector. Six people died in construction deaths in 2017, 10 in 2016 and 11 and 2015.

‘Cutting corners’ 

McGuinness noted that the HSA’s provisional statistics show the rate of construction fatalities has increased considerably in the last 12 months from 3.5 per 100,000 people employed to approximately 8.2 per 100,000.

“Construction workers engage in many activities that may expose them to hazards, such as falling from a height, unguarded machinery or being struck by construction equipment,” she said. 

Some 940 non-fatal incidents and dangerous occurrences were also reported to the HSA from the construction sector in 2019.

McGuinness said that while many larger construction firms “have improved standards around worker safety, what we are seeing is self-employed and smaller building companies not realising their duty and responsibility to staff, and cutting corners when it comes to health and safety”.

She said the HSA plans to raise awareness about such dangers in upcoming safety campaigns.

Preventable deaths 

McGuinness said most workplace deaths are preventable.

“Generally, incidents occur when safety shortcuts are taken. But the mentality of placing people’s lives in peril in the race to finish a job – or save money – needs to stop. Lives depend on it,” she stated. 

McGuinness also expressed concern at the issue of health and safety in the country’s ports and docks, with five deaths in 2019, one more than in 2018.

“These tragedies prompted the HSA to launch a national inspection campaign in October, which focused on the management of health and safety during vehicle movements in docks and ports.

“Employers must demonstrate from the top that no job is worth a loss of life, injury or illness. This message is especially important as we face into Brexit with more activity expected in shipping and ports.

“We must not become complacent as we continue our mission to prevent injury, death and ill health at work,” she said. 

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32 Comments
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    Mute Eric Lensherr
    Favourite Eric Lensherr
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:58 PM

    I’d be more concerned with the cocaine all the other houses are storing on their roofs.

    383
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    Mute Vic
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:37 AM

    That’s a standard way to catch people in the Netherlands, you can buy fake snow to put on the roof! Rookie mistake lol

    201
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:51 PM

    Or just use LEDs and keep the snow on your roof, better quality cannabis aswell imo

    29
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    Mute Paul McGuigan
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    Feb 13th 2015, 7:59 PM

    Or a roofie mistake

    13
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Feb 13th 2015, 8:42 PM

    So you wait for it to snow, and start sticking, even in the dead of night, and then you clamber up onto the roof with your pre-prepared several sacks of fake snow and proceed to cover your roof with the stuff. While it’s snowing.

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    Mute Ewan Scott-Douglas
    Favourite Ewan Scott-Douglas
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:38 AM

    Next time get some better insulation.

    89
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    Mute dearg doom
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:46 AM

    You can’t always predict the snow, and you can’t just go up there and put fake snow on the roof in case it snows overnight. That would look even more conspicuous.

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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Feb 13th 2015, 8:45 PM

    Exactly dude, should have read all comments before i posted.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:35 AM

    Idiots!

    86
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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:53 AM

    Probably smoking too much of their own produce!

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    Mute Robbie O'Flynn
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:11 PM

    These guys werent obeying to the old saying…..
    “Dont get high on your own supply!”

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    Mute twonky kong
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    Feb 13th 2015, 1:20 PM

    Dopes !

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:51 PM

    (PUN)

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    Mute Hoof Hearted
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    Feb 13th 2015, 6:04 PM

    Doh !

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    Mute jason bourne
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:47 AM

    Just paint your roof white

    83
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    Mute Alanearls
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    Feb 13th 2015, 6:21 PM

    Then when the snow melts the cops just drive around looking for houses with white roofs ;-)

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    Mute Neil Corcoran
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:14 PM

    That story is 2 weeks old, slow news day?

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    Mute Pauliebhoy
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:32 PM

    Snow news day?

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    Mute Neil Corcoran
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:15 PM

    Badum tish!

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    Mute The Dabbler
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:24 PM

    6×6 grow tent worked for me. Minimal heat escaping.

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    Mute Hank Schrader
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:04 PM

    The big electricity usage is usually a good give away too, unless… You just bypass the meter.

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:53 PM

    For commercial maybe but for personal use its using no more power than your front garden spotlights.

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    Mute Dsl
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:55 AM

    Just stop growing that Shyte

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Can only think of 2 reasons why it may be “Shyte” 1) Useless Grower 2) Additives to add weight

    No cannabis consumer wants either of the two, they want good quality locally sourced organic cannabis

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    Mute Critical Thoughts
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    Feb 13th 2015, 3:28 PM

    And I thought music snobs were annoying.

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    Mute Dsl
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    Feb 13th 2015, 7:15 PM

    Under heat lamps and grow with chemicals is organic ! Then Possibly believe e. cigarettes are healthy too ! Ignorant !

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    Mute Tom Red
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    Feb 13th 2015, 11:39 AM

    Thick as bottled shit…

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    Mute Shay Bourke
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    Feb 13th 2015, 12:34 PM

    This happen down in Tipperary a few years ago around the time of the big freeze. They were growing cannabis but their roof was the only one that had no snow.

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    Mute dabuyincojen
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    Feb 13th 2015, 3:02 PM

    Good way to weed them out! Drugs are for mugs.

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    Mute Wastrel
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    Feb 13th 2015, 8:27 PM

    thanks, dad.

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    Mute dabuyincojen
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    Feb 13th 2015, 3:01 PM

    Dopes!

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    Mute John Ward
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    Feb 13th 2015, 2:35 PM

    Snow use complaining!
    Snow use is bad for you!

    3
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