Deaths fall but workplace safety failures continue

THE drop in workplace deaths and serious injuries last year was in spite of continued failures by both employers and staff to take personal responsibility for health and safety, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

In its annual report for 2008, the HSA said there were 57 workplace deaths for the year, a drop of 10 compared to 2007.

There were six non-worker fatalities in workplaces, of which four were children. Three of the children were killed on farms.