Worrying trend on workplace deaths

THE tragic deaths of two brothers following a work-related accident in Portmarnock, Co Dublin, on Wednesday is yet another reminder of how very dangerous workplaces can be.

Stephen and Alan Harris were working on a sewer system when it is believed they were overcome by toxic fumes.

Eurostat figures show that Ireland is above the EU average in terms of the number of fatal accidents at work. The figures show the rate of workplace deaths here was just over four per 100,000 people employed in 2012. This compared to an EU average of just over two-and-a-half.