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47 people died in workplace accidents last year (and 14 of them were elderly farmers)

New figures from the Health and Safety Authority show that there were 47 fatal accidents last year, up one from 46 the year before.

A TOTAL OF 47 people died in workplace accidents across Ireland last year, with elderly farmers the most at risk group.

New figures from the Health and Safety Authority show that there were 47 fatal accidents last year, up one from 46 the year before.

Of the 47, 24 deaths were recorded in the agriculture, making it the eighth year in a row that the sector had the highest number of deaths.

Elderly farmers are the most at risk group, with 14 killed last year while working.

“We have seen fourteen elderly farmers killed this year, many of them working alone at the time of the accident,” said HSA chief executive Martin O’Halloran.

“Finding supports for elderly farmers or farmers working alone is something that needs to be addressed,” he said.

“The Health and Safety Authority will continue to do its part through inspection, awareness raising and education but safe farming has to happen every day, not just after an inspection.

We need to make this a fundamental part of farming culture, until it is we will continue to have devastation and carnage on our farms.

After agriculture, the construction and transport sectors had the highest number of fatalities, with six deaths each.

Five people died in the public administration and defence sector, making it the fourth most at risk group.

Across all sectors, accidents involving vehicles accounted for 21 of all deaths last year. A total of six people died from falls from height, making it the next most common cause.

The majority of deaths (28) involved 18-65-year-old men.

Dublin, Mayo and Cork recorded the highest number of deaths, with six each.

“We have over 2 million people at work and this is a positive development. However, this will lead to increased traffic and movement of vehicles in workplaces creating hazards that must be managed,” said O’Halloran.

“Regardless of the sector, where we have people and vehicles moving in close proximity, the danger is elevated.

These dangers are greatly reduced when everyone is aware of the hazards and safe systems of work are implemented.

Read: Waterways Ireland employee killed while carrying out work near canal in Leitrim

Read: Laois man dies after being struck by large fuse box at St Patrick’s University Hospital

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    Mute Andrew Eager
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:15 PM

    No quota calls for these lines of work from Ivana Bacik and co. Equality indeed.

    95
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    Mute Fran Lonergan
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:26 PM

    How many oppressed women died?

    53
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    Mute Veronica
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:40 PM

    @Fran Lonergan: maybe women follow health and safety codes more carefully? Or do you think the state has something in for men?

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    Mute Henry Fingleton
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:42 PM

    @Veronica: national troll awareness week, please never ever reply to a Veronica comment. He is an obvious troll who feasts on your attention.
    Yes I understand the irony in me replying but I gotta raise awareness

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    Mute Veronica
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:43 PM

    @Henry Fingleton: but “how many oppressed women died” isn’t attention seeking? On an article that is about workplace deaths and not the status of women in this country?

    This is ridiculous.

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    Mute JJ
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:48 PM

    @Veronica: You really do hate men don’t you?

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    Mute Veronica
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:49 PM

    @Henry Fingleton: in the last 24 hours the journal ran TEN articles on crimes related to male violence, but you guys accuse me of having an agenda and of hating men.

    Not one of you ever comment on the fact that it’s outrageous that even since the beginning of 2018 there have been lives lost due to male violence, but you all accuse me of being a troll for pointing it out.

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    Mute Henry Fingleton
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:52 PM

    @Veronica: beat it fella, find a new account and angle.

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    Mute gjpb
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 1:57 PM

    @Veronica: this article has nothing to do with male violence yet you hijack the thread yet again. GO AWAY!

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 3:20 PM

    @Veronica: You didn’t comment on the woman who shot people and was spared her life because she was a woman while men were hanged. And while we’re on the subject what’s your take on one of the most efficient and brutal fighting forces in the Syrian conflict…the YPJ? Then there’s the Israeli IDF women. I’ll stop there for now.

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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Jan 4th 2018, 12:58 AM

    @Veronica: Don’t try to do it all yourself. Hire a little help. You cant take it with you.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 2:11 PM

    Pity there is no simple male:female breakdown.

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    Mute Fran Lonergan
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 2:23 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill:

    Well we know there were at least 42 male deaths and 1 child, that leaves 4 to be accounted for.

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    Mute Dae Monicus
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 5:20 PM

    @Fran Lonergan: Fran I think the dept of agricultre food and the marine covers at least 12 sub sectors including Collite, Bord Bia and fisheries to name but a few so it’s possible the rescue 116 tragedy is included in the numbers.

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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 2:53 PM

    What a totally stupid ignorant line of reasoning. 14 elderly farmers lost their lives and the comments degenerate into a kind of quasi sexist debate!

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 3:44 PM

    @John Mc Donagh:
    Welcome to the journal.

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    Mute Andrew Eager
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    Jan 3rd 2018, 4:24 PM

    @John Mc Donagh: You missed the wider point John, and people making it are not ignorant. If anything, they’re more observant than others.

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