Cork records highest number of work-related fatalities in 2023

DATA from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) shows that Cork accounted for the highest number of work-related fatalities in 2023.

HSA statistics for last year indicate a continued high level of fatalities across the country in farming (16) and construction (11), both accounting for over two-thirds of all reports.

The work-related fatalities in these sectors relate to high-risk work, including working with vehicles and falls from height.

Cork accounted for the highest number of fatalities in 2023 (seven), of a total of 43 work-related fatalities nationwide.

Dublin followed with five work-related fatalities and Kerry also recorded five work-related fatalities.

The report found that of the 43 workers who died in 2023, 53% were self-employed and 51% were workers aged over 55.

Of the 43 fatalities in 2023, 39 were men and four were women.

The HSA report also found that in the last 10 years (2014 to 2023), there has been a decrease in the rate of fatalities in Ireland — from a rate of 2.8 per 100,000 workers in 2014, to 1.6 per 100,000 workers in 2023.

Working with vehicles accounted for 13 fatalities, while falling from heights accounted for 11 fatalities and were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in the last year.

The assistant chief executive of the HSA, Mark Cullen, remembered — first and foremost — all of those who died and their families and friends who tragically lost a loved one in 2023.

He welcomed the decrease in work-related fatality rates in the last 10 years, but said the authority still sees a continued high level of fatalities in certain sectors — such as farming, which Mr Cullen described as “a high-risk sector”.

He raised concerns about self-employed farmers — who often work alone — and highlighted the importance of the need for farmers to consider assistance from qualified and trained workers.

Mr Cullen also said that those who are self-employed — along with all duty holders and employers — have a responsibility when it comes to health and safety, given that last year saw that the self-employed accounted for over half of all reported fatalities last year (23).

Speaking about the HSA’s Programme of Work 2024 publication, which focuses on work activities and workplaces through a range of proactive inspections and targeted campaigns in 2024, chief executive of the HSA Conor O’Brien said: “We are committed to collaboration, consultation, and communication with all stakeholders — across all industries — and will continue to work with partners in high priority sectors, such as agriculture and construction.

“The authority is looking ahead to the future as we take account of changing work, workers and workplaces in Ireland,” Mr O’Brien added.