THIRTY work related injuries occurred in Donegal so far this year.
From January 1 to March 31 2023, there has been 30 non-fatal incidents in work places across the county.
A total of 166 non-fatal injuries occurred in the work place throughout 2022 in Donegal.
Nationally, the latest statistics from the Health & Safety Authority show the number of work related injuries and illness has increased as 461 people were killed in work-related incidents over a ten-year period from 2013-2022.
In the first quarter of 2023 five people have lost their lives in work-related incidents.
The sectors with the highest number of reported injuries and illnesses in 2022 included human health and social work, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles and construction.
Of the 27 work-related fatalities recorded in 2022, 10 were employees, 13 were self-employed and three were non-workers. Farming continued to be one of the most dangerous sectors in which to work, with 12 fatalities recorded in 2022.
The age groups 55-64 and 65 years and over represents 69 per cent of all fatalities in 2022.
To honour those who have been killed, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Health and Safety Authority, with support from Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation and the National Irish Safety Organisation, joined together on Friday with a national commemorative event in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.
Workers’ Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance for those who have been killed or seriously injured in work-related incidents.
Speaking following the ceremony, Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the HSA said, “As Ireland’s labour force is aging, we must all look to our workplace practices, and ensure that health and safety is being prioritised across all workforce age groups.
“We’re urging employers and their workers to think about the task you’re asking others to carry out, or that you are about to undertake. Complete a risk assessment and make sure the right precautions are in place and nobody is putting themselves or others in danger,” said Mr Cullen.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions General Secretary Owen Reidy, urged employers to make health and safety in the work place a priority.
“Part of the tragedy of these losses is that we actually know how to stop workplace fatalities and injuries. The evidence is there. It involves workers and managers cooperating to create safe systems of work, to assess hazards and to reduce risks.
“It involves education and training for workers and management and support for the role of safety reps in our workplaces.
“It requires monitoring, prevention, protection, and reporting. And it also requires compliance measures including inspections, and penalties for those who do not take their legal and moral responsibilities seriously. The trend in fatal workplace accidents is down, but every death at work is one too many,” said Mr Reidy.
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