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THE NUMBER OF work-related fatalities in 2021 were the lowest since the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) began to record the figures, according to their end-of-year report.
Provisional statistics released by the HSA this morning show that there was a 30% reduction in work-related fatalities in 2021 compared to 2020, with construction having the highest number of deaths this year
Overall, there were 38 work-related deaths reported in 2021 – a drop from the 54 work-related deaths that were reported in 2020.
The leading causes of work-related fatalities were loss of control of vehicles and falling from a height, with 12 and 10 fatalities reported respectively.
The construction sector saw the highest number of fatalities for 2021, with 10 deaths bein reported by the HSA. This was a reduction of 38% compared to 2020, where there were 16 fatalities recorded.
“The construction sector saw a 38% decline in work-related deaths with 10 workers losing their lives in 2021 following a spike in fatalities in 2020,” said Mark Cullen, Chief Inspector with the HSA.
“Of course, this is 10 deaths too many and smaller sites and contractors in particular need to ensure that worker safety is at the top of the priority list every day.”
The farming sector saw nine fatalities recorded in 2021, which is a decline of over 50% compared to 2020 when 20 fatalities were recorded. However, the HSA says that the sector still remains one of the most dangerous to work in.
“Farming continues to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work, but a 50% decline on the 2020 level of fatalities is encouraging and a sign that the safety message is getting through,” said Cullen.
“Our work in the farming sector will continue and I would urge all farmers not to become complacent and let’s make sure that this time next year we’re discussing even fewer lives lost.”
The HSA data also reports that two children, aged 16, were killed in work-related incidents this year.
The highest number of fatalities were in the 55-64 age bracket, with nine deaths, while there were eight deaths in the over 65 bracket and seven in the 35-44 bracket.
Counties Cork, Dublin and Wexford recorded the highest fatalities, with five in each county. There were no fatalities recorded in Kilkenny, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Waterford and Westmeath.
While the HSA did welcome the drop in fatalities for 2021, they said that all work-related deaths are preventable.
“It is positive to see such a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2021. However, our view is that every work-related death is preventable,” said Cullen.
“Christmas this year for the families and friends of these 38 individuals will have been a difficult one and our thoughts are with them.”
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What a non (I tried another word but it was perceived as toxic) story, half the country has been locked down even more so in the industries that sustain casualties. Almost as daft as the commentary about record recessions when the government shut down the country, shock horror & then the hype about record growth year on year when the government opened the economy back up & allowed folk to go back to making a crust, someone must have a blank page that need filling.
@Joe Thorpe: I accept your point. It is worth noting though that the Trump administration suppressed the reporting of work related death statistics, which had been required under the Obama administration. We could have a government that does something similar and thankfully we don’t. So I’m fine with having the statistics reported, even if it is an artificial low.
@David A. Murray: Well done you’ve somehow managed to bash trump in this news article it’s 2022 now come on just get over trump.
@Joe Thorpe: you obviously had a blank page that needed filling. Blank head too methinks.
@Joe Thorpe: there is no 2 ways about it sites are becoming safer and people are more self aware not to take risks. Regardless of lockdowns or not there’s people going home to their families who a few years ago would possibly lost their live doing the same job. 1 less life lost Regardless how is a result
The chances taken by small building contractors is directly contributing to these deaths especially the fall from height deaths. Two houses being built near me at the moment and both by two different contractors are disgraceful. The Scaffolding in particular…no hand rails, toe boards, access ladders, most sections only have one or two planks on them. Two scary things about it, 1 how the HSA let them get away with it, 2 how the contractors seem to just not care about their employees or even themselves.
@Ronan: Most of the lads at it have worked in the industry for years and with way less safety back then when they first started than now they’re probably so used to it they don’t see the danger.
@Ronan: are the HSA aware
@Ronan: those curtains must get awful greasy with your paws constantly twitching at them. If you’re so concerned why don’t you 1. Go and lend your massive scaffolding know how and a hand fixing it. 2. Stop making comments on a news article and go do something about it. Why make an effort when you can complain and say I told you so!
It’s because there are simply not enough HSA audits being carried out. I have worked on construction sites here for 35 years and only seen the HSA on two sites and on both occasions we were tipped off that they would be arriving. They were both on big site where generally safety would be better. It’s the small builder say building a few houses or maybe a small block of apartments that are a disgrace when it comes to health and safety. They should be getting regular unannounced audits from the HSA and this would focus them to run the sites better. Obviously down to lack of recourses and the builders know this.
Mostly due to lockdown but the HSA will be convinced that it’s due to their sill y over the top rules and regulations working as intended
@Quiet Goer: construction wasn’t loved down this year. March 2020 when it locked down
@Shaun Gallagher: it was actually last Christmas was extended to February. Unless it was council or 6 weeks from completion.
have your say