Ireland's Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published its annual workplace injury statistics, revealing a 25% year-on-year increase in reported injuries within the construction sector. The figures, covering the 2024 calendar year, represent the highest level of construction injuries recorded since 2008 and have prompted calls for urgent action from industry bodies and trade unions alike.
The Statistics in Detail
The HSA report records 1,847 non-fatal injuries in the construction sector during 2024, up from 1,476 in 2023. Falls from height remain the most common cause of serious injury, accounting for 34% of all incidents, followed by manual handling injuries at 28% and being struck by moving objects at 19%.
Fatal injuries in construction totalled 11 during 2024, compared to 8 in 2023. While the overall number remains low, the HSA notes that construction continues to be significantly over-represented in fatal injury statistics relative to its share of the workforce.
Contributing Factors
The HSA attributes the increase to several factors, including a significant expansion in construction activity driven by Ireland's housing programme, an influx of new and inexperienced workers into the sector, and what inspectors describe as "a culture of risk normalisation" on some sites where safety procedures are treated as optional rather than mandatory.
The authority also notes that subcontracting arrangements, which are prevalent in Irish construction, can create ambiguity about who bears responsibility for health and safety management on complex sites.
HSA Enforcement Response
In response to the figures, the HSA has announced a targeted inspection campaign focused on construction sites employing fewer than 20 workers, which the authority identifies as the highest-risk category. Inspectors will focus specifically on working at height arrangements, manual handling practices, and the adequacy of site safety statements.
Employers found to be in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 face improvement notices, prohibition notices, and in serious cases, prosecution. The HSA secured 23 convictions in 2024, with fines ranging from €5,000 to €250,000.
Industry Response
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has acknowledged the figures while noting that the sector has invested significantly in safety training in recent years. The CIF points to the growth in demand for health and safety trainer qualifications as evidence of the industry's commitment to improvement.
For construction companies seeking to build in-house health and safety training capability, HealthAndSafetyTrainer.ie provides information on QQI-accredited trainer qualifications available through Abertay Training.