26 work-related fatalities in 2022

Provisional data from the Health and Safety Authority shows that 26 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2022 compared to 38 in 2021. This is the lowest figure recorded since the Authority was established over 30 years ago.

The HSA reports show that falling from height (9 fatalities) and loss of control of a vehicle or its attachments (7 fatalities) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities last year.

Farming saw 12 fatalities recorded in 2022 compared to 10 in 2021, with it remaining the sector with the highest number of fatalities.

The transport and storage sector recorded a decline of 83 per cent with one fatality in 2022, compared to six in 2021.

Manufacturing recorded no fatalities in 2022, compared to five in 2021.

Dublin, Galway and Wexford recorded the highest level of fatalities with three in each county. No fatalities were recorded in 2022 in counties Carlow, Clare, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Wicklow.

Of the 26 fatalities in 2022, 10 were employees, 13 were self-employed and three were non-workers. Only one of the deaths was female.

Fatal incidents happened to victims from all age groups, the highest number involved people between 55-64 years with 10 fatalities. The age groups 55-64 and 65 years and over represented 69 per cent of all fatalities in 2022.

Mark Cullen, interim chief executive at the HSA commented: “We see a large number of fatalities relating to working at height and vehicle handling. We also know from the data that the age groups 55 and over represents 69 per cent of all fatalities in 2022, with these age groups representing 19 per cent of employees in Ireland.

“As Ireland’s labour force is ageing, we must all look to our work place practices, and ensure that health and safety is being prioritised across all workforce age groups.”