Big rise in work-related deaths last year
Official figures show a sharp rise in work-related deaths last year, with agriculture the most dangerous sector for workers.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) recorded 58 deaths linked to work last year – up 61% from the record low of 36 deaths recorded in 2024.
The authority said that, while the work-related fatality rate per 100,000 workers increased from 1.3 in 2024 to 2.1 last year, the long-term trend remained downward.
The leading causes of fatalities were being hit or crushed by falling objects, incidents with machinery or vehicles, and falling from a height.
Agriculture tops list
A breakdown showed that agriculture, with 23 deaths, continued to account for the highest number of fatalities. The HSA noted that 40% of all work-related fatalities last year came in a sector that employs around 4% of the workforce.
The construction sector recorded ten fatalities, compared with five in 2024, while five deaths were recorded in manufacturing, compared with none last year.
HSA chief executive Mark Cullen described the increase in deaths as “deeply concerning”.
"While annual figures can fluctuate, this sharp rise serves as a stark reminder that employers and workers alike must stay vigilant and avoid complacency when it comes to workplace safety,” he stated.
Cullen added that the fact that so many deaths continued to involve machinery or vehicles, and falls from height, showed that well-known incident triggers were not being adequately controlled.
Concern on older workers
The HSA figures show that 19 victims (33% of the total) were aged 65 or over, with the oldest victim aged 88.
Self-employed workers accounted for 23 (40%) of the deaths.
The authority expressed particular concern about the figure for older workers, in the context of an aging population and the fact that people were working beyond the traditional retirement age.