Three people lost their lives in workplace accidents in Galway this year, the highest number seen in the country.
The HSA has reported that there were a total of 26 workplace fatalities in Ireland this year according to provisional data.
This is a substantial drop from the 38 workplace related deaths the HSA reported in 2021.
Galway, Dublin, and Wexford each saw the highest number of deaths, with three in each county.
No deaths were recorded in 2022 in counties Carlow, Clare, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Wicklow.
The leading causes of deaths were falling from a height, which claimed nine lives, or losing control of a vehicle, which resulted in seven deaths.
Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive at the Health and Safety Authority said, “It is positive to see such a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2022.”
“However, our view is that every work-related death is preventable and vigilance around health and safety in Irish workplaces is still imperative.”
Christmas this year for the families and friends of all those killed in workplace incidents will have been a difficult one and our thoughts are with them”.
Some sectors saw a major drop in the number of fatal incidents this year, with just one in the transport and storage sector, compared with six in 2021.
In addition, the manufacturing sector recorded no deaths in 2022, compared with five the previous year.
While the confirmed number of work-related fatalities this year is the lowest recorded, it is important to point out that there are ongoing investigations that may see the reported/recorded number of fatalities increase.
More than two thirds of deaths in the workplace were in people aged 55 and over, despite accounting for only 19% of the workforce in Ireland.
Mark Cullen commented that as Ireland’s workforce ages, it is important to ensure that health and safety is being prioritised in workplace practices.
“We are urging employers and their workers to think about the task you’re asking others to carry out, or that you are about to undertake.”
“Complete a risk assessment and make sure the right precautions are in place and nobody is putting themselves or others in danger.”
“As evident in our records for 2022, if working with heavy machinery or at a height, be particularly vigilant and take the appropriate care”.
A breakdown of 2022 work-related fatalities is outlined below. This table is representative of data as of 3pm on December 29, 2022.
