Over 500 killed and many more injured in work related accidents

A total of 526 people have died nationally over the last decade in workplace accidentsand many thousands more badly injured. In County Cavan alone ten people have died in just the last five years. 

The appalling figures were released today to coincide with an annual commemoration event to remember people killed, injured and bereaved through workplace accidents.

This, the second Workers’ Memorial Day at the Royal Hibernian Academy was attended by Government figures, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Construction Industry Federation, Ibec and the Health and Safety Authority. The four organisations have also jointly signed a letter promoting the commemorative day along with key safety, health and accident prevention messages among their membership.

A Colour Party of the Defence Forces presented the Tricolour into the ceremony, on behalf of the State, and a wreath with the Workers’ Memorial Day emblem was placed onto a ceremonial stand backed by the Tricolour and the European flag.

On average, more than one person a week died in work related accidents in Ireland in 2015, 56 deaths in total, with many more injured. 

Minister for Business and Employment Ged Nash said, “As we mark the second Workers’ Memorial Day it’s worth noting that while annual fatality rates have more than halved from 4.9 / 100,000 in 1989 to over two fatalities per 100,000 workers today, many challenges remain.

'As economic activity continues to increase we need to re-double our efforts to promote awareness of health and safety in all places of work. Any one death or one injury is one too many.'

Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation said, “Everyone is entitled to a safe working environment and to return home unharmed each day. The Construction Industry Federation is delivering on its commitment to workplace health and safety through programmes like Safe Pass.”

Brian Higgisson, Assistant CEO of the Health & Safety Authority said, “The HSA as the statutory body for enforcing safety and health legislation, but only through collaboration and close cooperation can we hope to achieve safe and healthy workplaces for all employees. While the overall rate of work-related deaths has more than halved in the last 25 years, as long as there are any deaths as a result of work-related activity, education and enforcement will be required.”

 

Fatal workplace injuries by county 2010-2015