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The highest number of workplace fatalities occurred in the agricultural sector last year, the Health Service Authority (HSA) has said.
There were 56 work-related fatalities reported to the HSA in 2015, compared with 55 in 2014, 47 fatalities in 2013 and 48 in 2012.
There were 18 fatalities in the agriculture sector last year.
Targeting agriculture
The HSA carried out 10,880 workplace inspections, with over half of those targeting agriculture and construction.
Minister for Employment and Small Business Pat Breen said: “Looking at the accident, injury and illness statistics, it’s clear that while accidents are reducing in most sectors, we have to strengthen efforts to improve safety and prevent accidents in agriculture.”
Martin O’Halloran, chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority said: “Agriculture-related fatalities decreased from 30 in 2014 to 18 in 2015 and that is welcome. Another positive development has been the increased level of engagement from within the sector. I have always believed that the best people to implement change are farmers themselves. We saw evidence of that last year and we will be looking to build on it into the future.”
Of the 3,000 inspections in the agriculture sector, 232 were issues with a improvement notice, while 175 were given a prohibition notice.
Enforcement policy
Michael Horgan, chair of the HSA, added that there had been efficiencies made in how the HSA carries out inspection field work and “are now moving into a period where we can further improve our service to the working people of the country”.
The HSA said: “Over recent years we have worked extensively with a range of groups in agriculture to promote and encourage improved performance in this sector. In 2015, the Authority, working with the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, completed a new three-year action plan. We continued the policy to adopt a firmer enforcement policy to enable the prosecution of farmers where specific hazards are identified by our inspectors, including unguarded PTO shafts, unsecured slurry tanks and children under seven years old travelling in tractors.”
Watch video below from the Teagasc farm safety day in co Cavan:
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