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Tractors were involved in six workplace deaths last year. Shutterstock/Aleksandar Malivuk

39 people died in workplace incidents last year, with 17 deaths caused by vehicles

The HSA launched it annual report for 2018 today.

A TOTAL OF 39 people died from workplace accidents last year, with 17 of those as a result of vehicles.

Last year saw a drop of almost 20% in terms of workplace deaths when compared to 2017, when 48 people died, according to the annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). 

The farming sector had the biggest share of deaths, with 15 people dying in work-related incidents last year. Five people died while working in construction. 

Tractors were involved in the deaths of six people, while cars, refuse trucks and forklifts were also involved in fatalities.

The HSA also finished 15 prosecutions last year, resulting in total fines of €705,972.

Junior Minister for Trade Pat Breen welcomed the reduction in deaths, but said that each life lost caused great trauma and personal suffering for families every year

“We should remember that any improvement in numbers provides little comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the dozens of Irish people whose lives were cut short this year while doing their job,” he said. 

HSA CEO Dr Sharon McGuinness warned that vehicles were the greatest threat to people in the Irish workplace. 

“Whether it’s a farmer driving a tractor in a yard, or a truck driver delivering a load, across all sectors, incidents involving vehicles accounted for almost half – or 44% – of all deaths last year,” she said.

The worrying trend is continuing with six deaths provisionally recorded so far this year in the transportation sector.

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    Mute Cormac Ó Braonáin
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:11 PM

    Syrian Observatory for Human Rights? You mean the pro-Al Nusra Brit in Coventry that refuses to cite his sources, data and methadology?

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:32 PM

    @Cormac Ó Braonáin: the SOHR the shifted is stance over the course of the war as the rebels became more extreme, while initially supporting the FSA during he first few years of the war, the SOHR does not support the rebels any more. The SOHR clearly sided with the Kurds during last January’s Turkish led Operation Olive Branch (the Turkish and Syrian Rebel invasion of Kurdish region of Afrin of NW Syria). The SOHR released a lot of inaccurate news reports that supported the Kurdish YPG (false claims of Kurdish victories against the Syrian Rebels). A bit like Comical Ali, remember him?

    Here’s the bomb attack (graphic), seems it was a suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest…

    https://twitter.com/Rojava_News_/status/1085521608800956417

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    Mute paul kelly
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:24 PM

    US backed terrorists killed by US backed terrorists?

    Divide and conquer.

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    Mute John Flood
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:27 PM

    @paul kelly: wtf?

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    Mute Ciarán Masterson
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:34 PM

    @paul kelly:

    The US government supported the Free Syrian Army, which was not an Islamic militant organisation.

    ISIS hates the Western powers. therefore, the idea that the US government would support ISIS is absurd.

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    Mute Tommy Berry
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:39 PM

    @Ciarán Masterson: As absurd as them supporting the Taliban and Al Quida?

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:47 PM

    @Ciarán Masterson: LOL – America have been supporting ISIS for years in Syria,
    They like to play both sides of the coin, You genuinely have blinkers on and a childlike understanding of Americas role in all of this

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Jan 16th 2019, 7:26 PM

    @paul kelly: “US backed terrorists killed by US backed terrorists?”

    Eh no, 9 civilians killed and about 20 injured, including children, when an ISIS suicide bomber blew himself up in a cafe. Here’s the bomb attack (graphic)

    https://twitter.com/Rojava_News_/status/1085521608800956417

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    Mute Nicky O'Donnell
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    Jan 17th 2019, 6:11 AM

    @paul kelly: If you’re referring to the Kurds, no. The YPG doesn’t do suicide bombings and nowhere in the Journal article does it say who was responsible. And in any case, it was mostly civilians that were killed.

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    Mute Eon Cocker
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    Jan 16th 2019, 5:57 PM

    US-backed soldier? Who makes this shyte up? The word is Mercenary

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    Mute iComment
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    Jan 16th 2019, 4:52 PM

    Even thought US is leaving Syria the economic sanctions and sanctions against any ships going to Syria…By both the EU and US…..Will keep the people of Syria impoverished for years….Unable to rebuild their country….

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Jan 16th 2019, 5:06 PM

    5 US soldiers killed according to Turkish leader Erdogan in his address, He is stating that it was an attack designed to keep the us in Syria, but he thinks it won`t affect the US withdrawal as it would mean a victory for Daesh.

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