Farms remain the most dangerous workplaces in Ireland



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Farms remain Ireland's most dangerous workplaces with 24 deaths last year – almost double of any other area.

According to the 2017 annual report of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), 47 work-related deaths last year, up to two in 2016. Nearly half of them died. among them (24) took place on farms which, once again, remain the workplace with the highest mortality rate.

The number of deaths is also increasing. In total, 18 deaths were recorded in the agricultural sector in 2015 and 20 in 2016.

The HSE conducted a total of 9,934 inspections and investigations. This is down from the 10,478 inspections and surveys conducted in 2016 and significantly down from the peak of 18,451 inspections and surveys in 2009.

Nearly 2,000 agricultural inspections and surveys were conducted and more than 4,400 in the construction sector.

The inspectors issued 512 notices of improvement and 547 notices of ban after the discovery of serious deficiencies. A total of 21 prosecutions were completed, resulting in fines of more than 2.6 million euros.

Ireland's Minister of Trade and Employment, Pat Breen, said that 400 chemical monitoring checks on the Irish market were carried out, including 200 on detergents.

"The best way to prevent accidents is to encourage employers to take their responsibilities seriously and help workers identify hazards."

"Whether on a farm or in a factory It's the workers and the people who supervise the work that are best placed to make the right decisions about safety, health and well-being, "he said.

Sharon McGuinness, head of the HSA areas where the risks of accidents or deaths are high.

"Last year, we put in place strong inspection and awareness campaigns, which focused on areas such as vehicle and machinery safety and the effects on vehicles. the health of stress, manual mishandling and exposure to chemicals, "she said

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