ÁINE McMAHON
The Injuries Board has said a recent increase in accidents in the workplace is likely to be due to the upturn in the economy.
The board yesterday released figures showing the highest workplace accident award last year was more than €430,000. This related to a fatal accident; an increase on the previous year’s highest figure of €332,143.
The average award for a workplace accident last year also increased from €27,286 in 2012 to €28,886 in 2013.
Thursday is the most likely day of the week for workplace accidents resulting in employer liability awards, according to an analysis of 2013 workplace claims. Over the past three years Thursdays in November have proven to be the most common days for workplace accidents, while the least number of accidents occurred on Sundays, and the safest month was April.
Slips, trips and falls were the most common accident type, accounting for almost one-third of all awards for workplace accidents. Men are twice as likely as women to sustain a workplace injury, with men accounting for seven in 10 awards, slightly up on last year, while women accounted for the remaining three in 10.
Dublin, Cork and Limerick were the counties with the highest number of awards, whereas Leitrim, Roscommon, Sligo and Longford had the lowest.
Patricia Byron, CEO of the Injuries Board, said increasing numbers were in employment as the economic recovery gathers pace.
“From a peak rate of unemployment in 2012, increasing numbers of workers are rejoining the workforce.
“Perhaps reflective of this, our data shows a year-on-year increase in the number of awards made as a result of accidents in the workplace.”