There are calls for a renewed focus on safety at building sites around the country amid a slight increase in workplace injuries in the construction sector.
A total of 794 injuries were reported across construction last year, an increase of 4.3% on 2020, according to the latest Health and Safety Authority figures.
It comes the start of Construction Safety Week, an initiative launched by the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).
The CIF is urging companies to refocus on traditional "nuts and bolts" safety procedures.
"This year, we are underlining the need to double down on basic health and safety, to prevent accidents from occurring," said Dermot Carey, Director of Safety and Training at the Construction Industry Federation.
"Last year saw a slight increase in workplace accidents, which could be due to the important shift to Covid safety during the pandemic and an increased improvement in incident reporting," Mr Carey added.
Construction Safety Week is a national awareness campaign aimed at promoting positive safety and health among Ireland's 159,000 construction workers, clients and related industries.
Construction companies will hold 'toolbox talk' training events across the country to educate staff about workplace safety and highlight safety awareness initiatives.
The top three causes of construction-related accidents from 2017 to 2021 were slips, trips and falls, lifting and carrying and falling from heights.
Construction Safety Week 2022 will focus on five themes: safe access and egress, safe working at height, safe control of hazardous energies, safety by example and safe use of mobile equipment.
"As the focus begins to move away from the Covid-19 pandemic, now is an ideal time to re-double our efforts in the traditional safety space," said Construction Industry Federation President Frank Kelly.
