New figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show that 43 people lost their lives in work-related incidents in 2023.
This compares with a figure of 27 deaths in 2022.
Of the 43 workers who died in 2023, 53% were self-employed, while 51% were workers aged over 55.
Farming accounted for 16 fatalities, while 11 of the deaths occurred in construction.
Both sectors accounted for over two thirds of all fatalities in 2023.
Working with vehicles and falling from heights were the leading causes of work-related deaths last year.
Of the 43 fatalities in 2023, 39 were male and four were female.
The HSA said that over the last ten years there has been a decrease in the rate of fatalities in Ireland from 2.8 per 100,000 workers in 2014 to 1.6 in 2023.
“As we reflect on the last year and the 43 people who lost their lives in work-related incidents, we first and foremost think of their families and friends who have tragically lost a loved one in 2023,” said HSA Assistant Chief Executive Mark Cullen.
He added: “Where there is a known risk, such as working with vehicles and machinery or working at height, duty holders must take preventative actions to ensure they themselves or workers are safe.
“We are urging the self-employed, employers and duty holders to prioritise health and safety in their workplaces in 2024 to ensure fatalities don’t happen. Every work-related fatality is preventable.”
The HSA recently published its Programme of Work for 2024, which will see a range of inspections and targeted campaigns throughout the year, including in high-risk sectors, such as agriculture and construction.
The HSA said it will also focus on changing workforce demographics, as well as technological and environmental impacts on Irish workers.
“We have and will continue to develop supports and resources to address the evolving nature of the work environment, including impacts related to psychosocial hazards, digitalisation, sustainability, and changing workforce demographics,” said HSA Chief Executive Conor O’Brien.
