Study reveals elderly farmers are most likely to be involved in fatal work related accidents

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) released figures for the number of fatal accidents that were work related reported throughout 2017. Compared to the 46 in 2016 there was a slight rise with 47 in 2017.

Key fatality statistics are:

• 24 deaths in agriculture, making it the eighth year in a row that this sector recorded the highest number of work related facilities;
• the construction and transport sectors had the next highest number of fatalities with six each;
• across all sectors, accidents involving vehicles accounted for 21 of all fatalities during 2017;
• falls from height was the next highest cause;
• most of the fatalities involved 18-65 year old males;
• there were 14 men over the age of 65 killed in the agriculture section;
• Dublin, Cork and Mayo were the counties with the highest number of fatalities in 2017, with six each;
• one child fatality was recorded;
• of 47 fatalities reported, 18 were self-employed persons, 15 were employees, seven non-workers and seven family workers.

HSA Chief Executive, Martin O’Halloran, says that a collective effort is required to reduce the high level of farm accidents: "Everyone involved in farming must aim to make whatever changes are necessary to work practices, to stop these accidents occurring each year. That means safety must be paramount when carrying out any work, especially with tractors or farm machinery."

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