There have been calls for the introduction of a safe pass system for farms, following the publication of the latest work-related deaths statistics from the Health and Safety Authority.
Overall there were 33 work-related deaths in 2024, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), down from the figure of 43 which was recorded in 2023.
Last year's total is higher that the 2022 number of 28, however according to the HSA, the fatality rate per 100,000 workers has fallen to a record low, decreasing from 2.7 to 1.2 in the ten-year period from 2015 to 2024.
It is the lowest rate since the establishment of the HSA in 1989.
The construction sector saw a decline from ten fatalities in 2023 to five in 2024, a decrease of 50%, while the agriculture sector saw a decline from 20 fatalities in 2023 to 12 last year, a fall of 40%.
Of the 33 fatalities in 2024, the self-employed accounted for 18.
Vehicle-related incidents, incidents involving heavy/falling objects and falling from a height were the leading causes of work-related deaths in 2024.
Those aged 55 and over represented two-thirds of last year's fatalities.
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Of the 33 deaths in 2024, 30 were male and three were female.
Cork, Dublin and Offaly accounted for the highest records of deaths in 2024, with three fatalities occurring in each county.
"It is positive to see such a decline in the overall fatality figures for 2024, in particular the significant reduction in the high risk agriculture and construction sectors," said Conor O'Brien, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority.
"However, every work-related death is preventable. Vigilance and advance planning around health and safety at work is crucial to lowering the number of deaths further".
"The reality is that behind these figures are people who have died, leaving behind heartbroken families, friends and communities," Mr O'Brien said.
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SIPTU calls for farm safe pass system
Responding to the HSA report, John Regan, SIPTU's construction sector organiser, said: "In construction, again, five lives were lost, down from ten last year.
"And again, it's five families badly affected this year by that but it's a positive drop.
"It's one that was welcomed. It's because we believe there is a safe pass training course that exists, and it's legally binding."
He told RTÉ News that he believed that a similar system could help agriculture, where 12 live were lost last year, down from 20 in 2023.
Mr Regan said: "The reality is they don't have a safe PASS program, and there is no formal training. And I would say that the organisations within the farming community need to start looking up in the safety program, similar to the one that's in construction."
Employers in the construction sector are, by law, required to make sure their workers have completed a safe pass course which normally takes eight hours to complete.
The safe pass is valid for four years after which the employee must take a refresher course.
He said the drop in deaths in the construction industry came as a result of years of hard work and there is no room for complacency
Mr Regan said: "The trade unions have for years been trying to get the safe pass in place. It is now in probably 20 years, and it's working, and it's going in the right direction, but we cannot sit back.
"We need to make sure that the five is reduced next year as well, or in the coming year. We need to keep reducing the numbers, and by looking at the the incidents that happen."
Additional reporting Colman O'Sullivan
