Firms fined €700k over work-related accidents in 2009

Companies paid out more than €700,000 in fines last year arising from work place related accidents.

According to the Health and Safety Authority's 2009 annual report however, the lowest number of work place deaths were recorded since it began operating more than 20 years ago.

The number of deaths reported fell from 57 in 2008 to 43.

HSA CEO Martin O'Halloran said the labour-intensive industries continue to record the highest levels of fatalities.