Releasing provisional annual statistics for 2021, the Health and Safety Authority welcomed a 30% reduction in work-related fatalities.
38* people lost their lives in 2021 compared to 54 in 2020 representing the lowest figure recorded since the Authority was established over 30 years ago.
The farming sector saw a decline of over 50%, with nine fatalities recorded in 2021 compared to 20 in 2020. However the sector still remains one of the most dangerous industries in which to work.
The construction sector also saw a 38% decline in work-related deaths, with ten workers losing their lives in 2021 following a spike in fatalities in 2020.
The HSA said that ten deaths is 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.
Today’s figures show that the most common incident causes leading to deaths in workplace settings were the loss of control of a vehicle or its attachments (12) and falling from a height (ten).
Between them, these two accounted for well over half of all fatalities (58%).
While the farming and construction sectors saw significant declines in fatalities, some sectors experienced an increase.
The transportation and storage sector recorded an increase from two deaths in 2020 to six in 2021.
The forestry and logging sector saw two deaths after none last year.
