Farms rank as most dangerous workplace with 18 deaths in 2003

FARMS are the most likely place for a fatal workplace accident following 18 farming deaths this year, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

The HSA reported that 65 people died in work-related accidents this year, four more than in 2002.

Two of the five non-workers killed on farms this year were children, highlighting the growing need for more safety in the agriculture sector.

It is the only sector in which the number of employees is rapidly declining but accident rates are increasing. The number of farming workers who suffered an accident or injury rose from 7.1% in 1999 to 7.3% in 2002.

However, the number of people who suffered workplace injuries or work-related illnesses fell by 4,000 to 81,000 in the same period. When the 18,000 rise in numbers of people in employment is taken into account, this means that 14,000 workers were saved from injury or illness as a result of improved health and safety, half of them in the construction industry.

Provisional workplace fatalities released by the HSA yesterday show that apart from farm deaths in 2003:

17 people died in the construction sector (including one child).

Eight died in the transport, storage or communication sector.

Seven manufacturing workers were killed.

Four wholesale/retail trade employees died.

Four public administration/defence workers were killed.

Four community/Social services workers died.

Two electricity/gas/water employees were killed.

One real estate/renting/business worker was killed.

The number of people who died in construction or related sectors has fallen from 24 in 2000 to 21 this year.

The most common types of workplace deaths were falls (14), transport accidents (10), machinery and being hit by falling equipment (both responsible for eight deaths).

The most common types of reported non-fatal accidents were handling and lifting injuries (30%), slips or falls (22%) and malicious injury, mostly involving security personnel (5%).

HSA chief executive Tom Beegan said the fall in the rate of accidents indicates a strong improvement in health and safety practices.

“While there can never be an acceptable number of deaths in any workplace, the figures indicate a downward trend in accidents and injuries since 1999,” he said.