The Health and Safety Authority has confirmed that there were 26 work-related fatalities in the State in 2022.
Construction and agriculture combined for nearly three-quarters of that total.
The final tally of 26 represents a sharp decline from the 38 deaths noted in 2021 and is the lowest figure noted since the authority was founded more than 30 years ago.
Ten deaths occurred in the 55–64 age range, according to the most recent data for 2022.
The two main factors contributing to work-related fatalities in 2022 were falling from a height (nine fatalities) and losing control of a vehicle or one of its attachments (seven fatalities).
Farming continued to have the highest death rate, with 12 fatalities reported in 2022 compared to 10 in 2021.
The counties of Dublin, Galway, and Wexford had the highest number of fatalities in 2022, with three per county, while Carlow, Clare, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Sligo, and Wicklow had none.
Only one woman was among the 26 fatalities, leaving 25 men.
The Health and Safety Authority’s interim chief executive, Mark Cullen, praised the decrease in fatalities but emphasised that the organisation still believes every work-related death is avoidable and that health and safety awareness in Irish workplaces is still crucial.
“We see a large number of fatalities relating to working at height and vehicle handling,” he said.
“We also know from the data that the age groups 55 and over represent 69 per cent of all fatalities in 2022, with these age groups representing 19 per cent of employees in Ireland.
“As Ireland’s labour force is aging, we must all look to our workplace practices, and ensure that health and safety is being prioritised across all workforce age groups.”
He added: “We are urging employers and their workers to think about the task you’re asking others to carry out, or that you are about to undertake.
“Complete a risk assessment and make sure the right precautions are in place and nobody is putting themselves or others in danger.
“As evident in our records for 2022, if working with heavy machinery or at a height, be particularly vigilant and take the appropriate care.”