A TOTAL OF thirty people died in work related deaths on Irish farms last year, a major increase on the 16 who died in 2013.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) says deaths on Irish farms has reached a 20 year high. Last year, the agriculture sector recorded the highest number of fatalities of any sector for the fifth successive year.
In total, 55 people died in work related accidents making farming responsible for well over half of workplace deaths.
“The number of fatal accidents that occurred on farms last year was the highest in over 20 years,” says the HSA’s CEO Martin O’Halloran.
“In May of 2014 alone there were five people killed. It is particularly tragic that five children lost their lives on Irish farms.”
Last year saw was the worst for workplace deaths since 2008 but if farming accidents are excluded the overall trend is downwards. Deaths on building sites, fishing vessels and haulage all fell last year while factory deaths increased.
The HSA says over half of all workplace deaths last year involved vehicles and they plan to emphasises vehicle safety to small business owners especially over the course of 2015.
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