Rise in workplace fatalities in Northern Ireland

By David Hunter

16 people have died as a result of workplace accidents in Northern Ireland within the past year. 

The Health and Safety Executive has published it's annual report today, showing the number has risen from 12 in the year previous. 

Farming and construction remain the most dangerous professions claiming eight lives in total.

Six people died in the 2016/17 year as a result of farming accidents, with two killed in construction roles.

However, HSENI officials say serious injuries were down to their lowest  level in five years, seeing a reduction of around 13% on the previous twelve months.

5,999 inspections were conducted by health officials alongside local councils in the past year. 

They served 144 formal enforcement notices where very poor practice was found in businesses.

HSENI’s Chief Executive Keith Morrison said: “Workplace deaths are heart-breaking and unacceptable. These events impact so many people and cause such devastation to families, communities, work colleagues, employers and the emergency services who attend these incidents.

"We simply must all continue to work as hard as we can to stop these often easily preventable tragedies.
 
Sadly farming remains Northern Ireland’s most dangerous industry with another six families devastated in 2016/17.

"Whilst this is the same figure as 2015/16, continuing the overall downward trend in deaths since the establishment of the Farm Safety Partnership, I am afraid that six farming families have already suffered similar heartache to date in 2017/18.

"Everyone will agree we just cannot see a return to the very high number of farm deaths recorded in 2011 and 2012.
 
“All too often, and understandably, the focus can be solely on workplace deaths. However, what can be more frightening is the number of people seriously injured each year at work. 

"Especially given that the difference between a major, life-changing, injury and a fatality can be just a few seconds or inches. That is why HSENI’s focus is on trying to reduce the number of serious injuries in the workplace.