05 Jan Fatal Accident Statistics 2017
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has released figures for the number of work related fatal accidents reported during 2017. There were 47 workplace fatalities in 2017 compared to 46 in 2016.
Key fatality statistics include the following:
• There were 24 deaths in agriculture, making it the eighth year in a row that this sector recorded the highest number of work related fatalities.
• The construction and transport sectors had the next highest number of fatalities with six each.
• Across all sectors, accidents involving vehicles accounted for 21 of all fatalities in 2017. Falls from height (six) was the next most common cause.
• Most fatalities (28) involved 18-65 years old males; there were 14 men over 65 killed in the agriculture sector.
• Dublin Cork and Mayo were the counties with the highest number of fatalities in 2017, with six each.
• There was one child fatality (agriculture).
• Of 47 fatalities reported, 18 were self-employed persons, 15 were employees, seven non-workers and seven family workers.
Of the 24 deaths in agriculture, 14 of these fatalities were elderly farmers. This makes elderly farmers the most likely to be involved in fatal work accidents in Ireland.
Source: www.hsa.ie