Ireland recorded its lowest-ever rate of work-related fatalities in 2024, according to provisional data published by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). The fatality rate per 100,000 workers has fallen from 2.7 to 1.2 in the 10 years from 2015 to 2024, marking the fewest work-related deaths since the establishment of the Authority in 1989.
A total of 33 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2024, a reduction of almost a quarter on 2023 fatalities. The construction sector, in particular, saw a significant change from 10 fatalities in 2023 to five in 2024, a decline of 50%, while the agriculture sector saw a decline from 20 deaths in 2023 to 12 last year (40%).
Commenting on the significant reduction in fatalities in Irish workplaces, Conor O’Brien, Chief Executive, HSA, said: “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. 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.”
KEY HSA 2024 STATISTICS
– In the past 10 years (2015-2024), the rate of fatalities per 100,000 workers decreased from 2.7 in 2015 to 1.2 in 2024
– Two-thirds of all fatalities (22) occurred to those aged 55 and over
– Of the 33 fatalities in 2024, the self-employed accounted for 18 (55%)
– Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 12 fatalities, all of which were farming incidents, representing over a third of all fatalities from a sector employing just 4% of the workforce
– The construction sector saw a significant decline from 10 fatalities in 2023 to five in 2024, a decline of 50%
– Vehicle-related incidents (10 fatalities), incidents involving heavy/falling objects (six fatalities) and falling from height (five fatalities) were the leading causes of work-related fatalities in 2024, accounting for 64% of all fatalities
– Of the 33 fatalities in 2024, 30 were male, and three were female
– Cork, Dublin and Offaly accounted for the highest records of fatalities in 2024, with three fatalities occurring in each county.