Work-related deaths in Ireland almost doubled in 2023, new data reveals

New data has revealed a 65% increase in work-related fatalities in Ireland in just one year. 

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) revealed the information in a report published today (December 5), confirming 43 workers died in 2023. 

This is almost double the figure recorded in 2022 when 26 work-related fatalities occurred. 

According to the report, a high level of fatalities last year were recorded in farming (16) and construction (11), a trend continued from previous years. 

The fatalities in these sectors relate to high-risk work, such as working with vehicles (13 fatalities) and falls from heights (11 fatalities). 

In total, 39 men lost their lives at work last year, as well as four women. 

This figure marks a four-fold increase in the number of female workplace fatalities when compared to 2022. 

The highest number of fatalities in 2023 were recorded in Cork (7 fatalities), followed by Dublin (5 fatalities) Kerry (5 fatalities), and Wexford (4 fatalities). 

Carlow and Galway each had 3 work-related fatalities last year, with two in Laois, Leitrim and Louth, and one each in Clare, Donegal, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Westmeath, and Wicklow. 

The report also revealed 53% of workers who died at work last year were self-employed, while 51% were over the age of 55. 

This is a similar breakdown to figures released in 2022. 

Assistant Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Mark Cullen, said, "As we reflect on the last year and the 43 people who lost their lives in work-related incidents, we first and foremost think of their families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one in 2023. 

"Although we welcome the decrease in work-related fatalities rates in the last ten years from the rate of 2.8 in 2014 to 1.6 in 2023, we still see a continued high level of fatalities in certain sectors. Farming, a high-risk sector, continues to account for the highest number of fatalities (37%) with over half of victims aged 65 and over.

"We know many farmers are self-employed and often work alone. Therefore, there is a clear need for them to consider the work they plan on carrying out themselves, and where they may need assistance from qualified and trained workers, ensuring the appropriate risk assessments are completed in advance of the work being carried out and that the appropriate preventative measures are in place to ensure those carrying out the work can do so safely." 

Cullen called on employers to do risk assessments to ensure "critically important" safety measures are in place. 

He said, "The self-employed, along with all duty holders and employers, have a responsibility when it comes to health and safety. Last year we saw that the self-employed accounted for over half of all reported fatalities (23). Undertaking risk assessments and making sure the appropriate controls are in place are critically important to ensuring a safe workplace and will undoubtedly protect workers. 

"Where there is a known risk, such as working with vehicles and machinery or working at height, duty holders must take preventative actions to ensure they themselves or workers are safe.

"We are urging the self-employed, employers and duty holders to prioritise health and safety in their workplaces in 2024 to ensure fatalities don’t happen. Every work-related fatality is preventable." 

In the last ten years there has been a small decrease in the rate of worker fatalities in Ireland, from a rate of 2.8 workers per 100,000 in 2014 to 1.6 in 2023.