Reduction in workplace deaths met with cautious welcome

THE reduced number of work-related fatalities this year has led to fears that safety standards may fall next year as a result.

There were 57 work-related fatalities in 2002 seven less than the previous year.

Statistics also show a 50% reduction in the number of child deaths.

They also show a dramatic reduction in the number of children who died in farm accidents.

In 2002, only two of six child deaths were in agriculture, compared to 2001 when seven of the 12 child deaths were farm fatalities.

While the latest statistics show a small decrease the Health and Safety Authority is worried it might cause people to take a more casual attitude towards workplace safety.

HSA director general Tom Beegan said people had to keep in mind that 57 families had suffered a tragic loss in 2002.

Mr Beegan: "There is no acceptable level of workplace deaths, and the authority will continue its programme to ensure a national agenda in which workplace health and safety is given the attention it deserves."

The traditionally high-risk sectors of construction and agriculture once again claimed the majority of lives lost in the workplace this year.

However, the two sectors accounted for 34 of all deaths in 2002, compared to 42 in 2001, a decrease of almost 20%.

There were 13 deaths in farming. This figure, which includes two child deaths, is 45% less than the 24 deaths that occurred in the sector in 2001.

There were 21 deaths in construction, an increase of three on 2001. There were no child deaths in this sector over the past 12 months, whereas four children died on construction sites in 2001.

Quarrying accounted for two deaths, a reduction on the previous year when five people lost their lives.

Of the 57 deaths in 2002, almost one in five happened in Co Dublin.

Seven of the fatalities occurred in Tipperary and four each in Cork, Limerick and Longford.

Three workplace fatalities happened in Clare and Wexford, with two each in Donegal, Galway, Meath, Louth and Roscommon.

Mr Beegan said the figures greatly concerned them and he hoped employers will make safety their number one resolution this year.

"There is no room for complacency in workplace safety. Employers can start by ensuring that their safety statement is specific to the workplace and is up to date as required by law."