The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has released its annual report, and figure suggests that Vehicles are the leading cause of death in Irish Workplaces.
The 2018 Annual report was published on the 30 August 2019 and has shown there were 39 work-related fatalities reported to the HSA in 2018, which is a decline compared to the 48 in 2017 by 19%. The single biggest danger last year came from vehicles in the workplace, which saw 17 lives lost across all industries last year. The farming sector suffered 15 work-related deaths in 2018, which is compared to 25 in 2017, which is a decline of 40%, while construction had 5 work-related deaths.
The Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD, said workplace deaths can cause great trauma and personal suffering for families every year. He has said, whilst welcoming the decline in workplace facilities, "We should remember that any improvement in numbers provides little comfort to the family, friends and colleagues of the dozens of Irish people whose lives were cut short this year doing their job".
Dr Sharon McGuinness, the Chief Executive Officer of the HSA, has said that the fatality statistics show how vehicles are now posing the biggest threat to life in the Irish Workplace, commenting, "Whether it's a farmer driving a tractor in a yard, or a truck driver delivering a load, across all sectors, incidents involving vehicles accounted for almost half - or 44% - of all deaths last year." Adding that, "The worrying trend is continuing with six deaths provisionally recorded so far this year in the transportation sector."
One vehicle, tractors, were involved in the majority of workplace vehicle incidents last year. They claimed six lives, but cars, refuse trucks and forklifts were also involved in fatalities. McGuinness continued, to express concern at the devastation caused by work tragedies on bereaved families, and urged everyone to try and be aware of the risks posed by moving vehicles in all workplaces. She insists that a change in mindset is required to help to reduce the numbers of dying or suffering serious injury as a result of workplace vehicles and that complacency is costing lives. Concluding that "Drivers often forget about the same hazards that they look out for when driving on the road, like properly maintaining their vehicles, and paying attention to pedestrians when they are reversing. These checks could prevent a fatal catastrophe to themselves, or to a work colleague".
The Annual Report shows that the HSA concluded 15 prosecutions in 2018, which resulted in total fines by the end of €705,972. Overall, it was found that the inspectors issued 452 improvement notices, 523 prohibition notices and 335 on-the-spot fines.
The HSA's online risk assessment tool (BeSMART.ie) had 9,357 new users in 2018 - this increased the numbers of people using the online portal to 56,329 in sectors such as retail, hospitality, construction and agribusiness. The tool continues to provide businesses in these and other sectors with a means to manage their own health and safety requirements for free. Focusing on both improving safety and reducing workplace deaths this year, they have also been actively preparing Irish industry for the potential impact of the UK leaving the EU in 2019.
The Chairperson of the HSA, Tom Coughlan, has said that they are particularly focused on the potential impact of Brexit - specifically in relation to areas such as chemicals, accreditation and industrial products. He has said, "In addition to our focus on occupational health and safety, the HSA is working to deliver support and advice to Irish companies as part of the whole-of-Government work to get Ireland Brexit ready. The HSA is participating in a range of events to provide advice, including those organised by Government departments and agencies. I would strongly urge Irish companies to get ready now for Brexit."
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