Workplace fatalities down 15%

The number of people killed in work related incidents declined by 15 per cent last year, according to new figures published today.

The Health and Safety Authority’s annual report shows that there were 57 reported workplace deaths in 2008 compared to 67 a year earlier.

Over a third of work related fatalities occurred in the agriculture sector, even though it employs just 6 per cent of the workforce.

Six of the recorded deaths involved non-workers and four of these were children.

A total of 7,658 non-fatal incidents were reported to the HSA in 2008 with the most common incidents involving manual handling and slips, trips and falls.

The HSA said that it carried out just over 16,000 workplace inspections last year, of which 14 per cent resulted in enforcement action.

Fines totalling over €2.5 million were imposed for breaches of health and safety law on organisations last year for breaches of health and safety legislation.

Minister of State for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary welcomed the reduction in fatalities and said that keeping people safe and healthy at work and saving money are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Separately, the HSA's chief executive Martin O'Halloran said he believed that the majority of employers realise the tangible benefits associated with investing in health and safety.