Agriculture workers most at risk of fatal injury, study finds

People employed in farming, fisheries or forestry are 24 times more likely to die in work-related accidents than those in service industries, a new study shows.

Ireland had the highest agricultural fatality rate among nine EU countries studied, according to a report launched yesterday by the Economic Social and Research Institute.

As the economy improves, accidents and work-related illnesses are likely to rise just as they did in the boom period, say ESRI researchers.