HSA Publishes Landmark Review on Construction Fatalities

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has published its comprehensive Review of Construction Fatalities in the Republic of Ireland 2022–2024, shedding light on the alarming concentration of workplace deaths on smaller construction sites. The report analysed data compiled over a three-year period, identifying 23 work-related fatalities within the sector. The findings provide critical insights for employers, self-employed contractors, and safety professionals striving to curb avoidable tragedies across the Irish construction landscape.

According to the regulatory body, the data indicates that major commercial projects with extensive corporate oversight are not the primary hotspots for fatal incidents. Instead, the overwhelming majority of fatal accidents take place away from large-scale developments, highlighting a systemic vulnerability in smaller-scale operations and maintenance projects.

Small Sites and High Risks: The One-to-Four Worker Phenomenon

One of the most striking revelations of the HSA report is that 19 out of the 23 recorded fatalities—representing a staggering 83%—occurred on construction sites employing between just one and four workers. Furthermore, a significant portion of these incidents involved lone workers or short-duration jobs such as routine property maintenance, domestic repairs, and agricultural building work.

The report underscores several core demographic trends among the victims:

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  • All 23 fatalities recorded during the 2022–2024 period were men.
  • Workers aged between 35 and 64 accounted for 87% of the total deaths, proving that experience alone does not eliminate risk.
  • Self-employed individuals accounted for 10 fatalities, representing 43% of all construction deaths examined.
  • Legal dutyholder requirements, such as appointing a Project Supervisor for the Design Process (PSDP) and Construction Stage (PSCS), were frequently absent or neglected on these smaller projects.

Falls from Height Remain the Leading Industry Danger

When examining the specific causes of death, falls from height emerged as the leading hazard by a wide margin. The HSA review confirmed that falling from elevated working positions accounted for 15 of the 23 fatalities, translating to roughly 65% of all deaths in the sector over the studied timeframe. Being struck by plant or machinery constituted the second major category of fatal incidents.

Eibhlin O'Leary, Assistant Chief Executive at the HSA, emphasized the absolute necessity of rigorous pre-planning and risk assessment regardless of project scale. Regulators continue to urge all operators—particularly independent tradespeople and small-scale builders—to ensure that proper safety measures, appropriate scaffolding, and certified competence cards like the Safe Pass are fully utilized before any work commences. To bridge the skills and compliance gap across all tiers of the industry, comprehensive professional training programs are available through organizations like Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk