The Health and Safety Authority have confirmed there was one work-related fatality in Donegal in 2022.
The number is down from 2 in 2021, as the country as a whole has seen the fatalities reduce significantly.
Provisional data from the HSA shows that 26 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in the whole country in 2022, which is the lowest figure recorded since the Authority was established over thirty years ago.
The data is representative of up to 3pm on the 29th of December and the figure is down substantially compared to 2021, which stood at 38.
Summary of statistics reported by HSA are as follows:
- Fatal incidents happened to victims from all age groups, the highest number involved people between 55-64 years with 10 fatalities
- The age groups 55-64 and 65 years and over represents 69% of all fatalities in 2022, with these age groups representing 19% of employees in Ireland (CSO figures up to end of Q3 2022)
- Falling from height (9 fatalities) and loss of control of a vehicle or its attachments (7 fatalities) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2022
- Farming saw 12 fatalities recorded in 2022 compared to 10 in 2021, with it remaining the sector with the highest number of fatalities
- Dublin, Galway and Wexford recorded the highest level of fatalities with three in each county
- No fatalities were recorded in 2022 in counties Carlow, Clare, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo and Wicklow
- Of the 26 fatalities in 2022, 10 were employees, 13 were self-employed and 3 were non-workers
- Of the 26 fatalities in 2022, 25 were Male and 1 was Female
- The transport and storage sector recorded a decline of 83% with one fatality in 2022, compared to six in 2021
- Manufacturing recorded no fatalities in 2022, compared to five in 2021
While the confirmed number of work-related fatalities this year is the lowest recorded, it is important to point out that there are ongoing investigations that may see the reported/recorded number of fatalities increase.
Commenting on the HSA’s provisional data on fatalities in Irish workplaces, Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive at the Health and Safety Authority said: “It is positive to see such a substantial decline in work-related fatalities in 2022.
“However, our view is that every work-related death is preventable and vigilance around health and safety in Irish workplaces is still imperative.
“Christmas this year for the families and friends of all those killed in workplace incidents will have been a difficult one and our thoughts are with them”.
Mark Cullen added: “We see a large number of fatalities relating to working at height and vehicle handling. We also know from the data that the age groups 55 and over represents 69% of all fatalities in 2022, with these age groups representing 19% of employees in Ireland.
“As Ireland’s labour force is ageing, we must all look to our work place practices, and ensure that health and safety is being prioritised across all workforce age groups.”
