Fatal accidents in workplace up to 68

THE number of fatal accidents in the workplace has risen from 49 in 2004 to 68 this year.

In response, the business and employers lobby group, IBEC has urged Irish companies to put in place improved health and safety plans over the coming year, with more effort needed to reduce the numbers of preventable accidents at work.

According to Tony Briscoe, director of health and safety at IBEC: “While detailed figures on non-fatal accidents are not yet available for 2005, and despite a considerable downward trend in earlier years, this development is worrying and suggests greater care is needed to avoid serious injury.”