Ireland saw a sharp rise in work-related fatalities last year, with 58 people dying in workplace incidents during 2025, provisional figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show. The total represents a 61% increase compared to 36 deaths in 2024.
The agriculture sector accounted for the largest share of fatalities, with 23 deaths, representing 40% of all workplace deaths. The sector employs around 4% of the workforce. Construction followed, with 10 deaths, up from five in 2024, while five fatalities were recorded in manufacturing, compared to none the previous year.
The leading causes of workplace deaths included being hit or crushed by falling objects, incidents involving machinery or vehicles, and falls from height. The overall work-related fatality rate per 100,000 workers increased from 1.3 in 2024 to 2.1 in 2025, though the HSA noted that the long-term trend in workplace deaths remains downward.
The data show that 19 of the victims were aged 65 or older, with the oldest worker aged 88. A significant portion, 40%, were self-employed.
Mark Cullen, CEO of the HSA, said the rise in fatalities is “deeply concerning.” He described each death as a tragedy affecting families and communities and warned that the sharp increase demonstrates the need for vigilance in workplace safety.
“While annual figures can fluctuate, this sharp rise serves as a stark reminder that employers and workers alike must avoid complacency,” Cullen said. “The fact that so many fatalities continue to involve machinery, vehicles, or falls from height shows that well-known hazards are not being adequately controlled.”
Cullen stressed the importance of managing risks through proper planning, risk assessment, and ensuring employees are aware of safe working practices. “These are hazards that can be managed with the right measures in place,” he added.
The HSA said it will implement a comprehensive programme of inspections across all sectors in 2026. The authority plans to focus on high-risk industries with a mix of enforcement, compliance checks, and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing fatalities.
The rise in deaths highlights the ongoing risks faced by workers, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and construction, and underscores the challenge of maintaining safety standards in workplaces with heavy machinery or elevated work environments.
The HSA called on employers and employees to work together to prevent incidents, saying that proactive safety measures and continuous vigilance remain essential to lowering workplace fatalities.
