The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published a review examining work related fatalities in the construction sector across the Republic of Ireland between 2022 and 2024.
The Review of Construction Fatalities in the Republic of Ireland 2022 to 2024 identifies 23 deaths during the three year period, highlighting the circumstances surrounding fatal workplace incidents and the characteristics of those affected.
Falls from height remain leading cause
Falls from height accounted for 15 of the 23 fatalities recorded during the review period.
This represents approximately 65% of all construction fatalities examined, making falls from height the leading cause of death identified in the report.
The findings highlight the significance of working at height within the construction sector’s fatal incident statistics.
Smaller construction sites account for most deaths
The review found that 19 of the 23 fatalities occurred on construction sites employing between one and four workers.
This accounted for 83% of all recorded deaths during the period.
The findings provide an indication of the types of construction workplaces where fatal incidents occurred, with smaller sites representing the majority of cases examined.
Report identifies worker demographics
All 23 people who died in construction incidents during the three year period were men.
The review also found that 96% of those who died were Irish nationals, while 87% were aged between 35 and 64.
Self employed workers accounted for 10 fatalities, representing 43% of the total.
These findings provide further insight into the employment status and demographic characteristics of workers involved in fatal construction incidents.
HSA investigation data informs findings
The review draws on fatal incident investigations undertaken by the HSA, alongside supplementary information from the Central Statistics Office.
Eibhlin O’Leary, Assistant Chief Executive at the HSA, said: “Every fatality in construction represents a person who went to work and did not come home.
“This review shows that falls from height continue to be a critical risk, accounting for 15 of the 23 fatalities. It also highlights the need to focus on smaller sites, with 83% of these fatalities occurring on sites with between one and four workers.
“The findings provide important lessons for everyone involved in construction. Employers, self-employed workers and those responsible for construction projects must make sure that risks are properly assessed, that work is planned safely and that the right protections are in place before work begins.”
