Reduction in farm related deaths

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Reduction in Farm Fatalities

by pacireland in News

January 9, 2019

PAC Ireland welcomes figures released by the Health and Safety Authority today (Tuesday 8th January) showing that 37 people were killed in work related accidents in 2018, a decline of 23% on 2017 and the lowest figure since the establishment of the Authority in 1989. The farming sector, which has consistently been the most dangerous sector in which to work, featured 15 work related deaths last year compared to 25 in 2017, a decline of 40%. The fatal accident rate of 1.6 deaths per 100,000 workers is also now at an all-time low. However PAC Chairman, Michael Sheehan says that a reduction in the number of deaths is welcome, thirty seven workplace related deaths is still thirty seven too many. Sheehan paid tribute to the work done over the years by PAC Ireland and the HSA Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, which has no doubt contributed to bringing about awareness to the dangers those involved in agriculture are exposed to.

Dr. Sharon McGuinness, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority said “…….. although farming has seen a very strong improvement in 2018, 15 fatalities, which represents 41% of total fatalities, is still far too many for a sector that employs just 6% of the workforce. The next highest sector is construction with 5 deaths in 2018 (14% of the total) so both sectors will remain a key priority for us in 2019. I urge all stakeholders, particularly those in the farming and construction sectors, to focus their efforts to ensure 2019 sees a continuation of this very positive trend”.

Dr. McGuinness continued; “I very much welcome the decline in work related fatalities in 2018. The fatality rate of 1.6 deaths per 100,000 workers is particularly significant given it was as high as 6.4 per 100,000 workers in the early 1990’s. Due to the efforts of employers, employees and key stakeholders, there has been a huge improvement in health and safety standards since then. However, with 37 people losing their lives in work related activity in 2018 there is clearly still more to be done”.

Dr. McGuinness added, “The economy is thriving with thousands of new workers joining the workforce each month. There are challenges ahead such as Brexit and also the fact that many employers are facing a skills shortage in certain sectors. In this context it is important that worker health and safety stays on the priority list. Safe and healthy employees are the backbone of any successful enterprise”.

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