Workplace Fatalities Reach Their Highest Level Since 2007
The Health and Safety Authority’s latest annual report confirms that 61 people lost their lives in work-related incidents during 2025. What do the findings mean for Irish employers?
The Health and Safety Authority has published its Annual Report 2025, revealing that 61 people lost their lives in work-related incidents across Ireland during the year.
While the headline figures had previously been released, the full report provides important insight into workplace safety trends, enforcement activity and the challenges facing employers, contractors and duty holders across Ireland.
The 61 fatalities recorded represent a substantial increase from the 36 fatalities reported in 2024. It is also the highest annual workplace death toll recorded since 2007.
Every workplace fatality has a lasting impact on families, colleagues, businesses and communities. The findings reinforce the need for safety to remain an operational priority every day.
Workplace Fatalities Increased Significantly
The increase in workplace fatalities is a serious concern across all sectors. It demonstrates that even where procedures and policies exist, organisations must ensure that safety measures are properly implemented, communicated, supervised and reviewed.
Effective health and safety management requires more than a collection of documents. Employers must ensure that workplace risks are understood, employees are competent and safe systems of work reflect how tasks are actually being performed.
Agriculture Remains a Key Area of Concern
Agriculture continues to be one of Ireland’s highest-risk industries. The report highlights the continued overrepresentation of older, self-employed farmers in fatal workplace incidents.
Farming presents a range of complex risks, including lone working, livestock handling, machinery use, falls, vehicle movements and maintenance activities.
The findings reinforce the importance of practical risk assessments, machinery maintenance, safe working procedures and ongoing safety awareness throughout the agricultural sector.
HSA Inspection Activity Reaches Its Highest Level Since 2007
Alongside the fatality figures, the report confirms a substantial increase in inspection and enforcement activity during 2025.
The HSA carried out 11,974 inspections and investigations during the year, the highest number recorded since 2007.
- Occupational safety and health inspections 10,782
- Chemicals Act and dangerous goods inspections 1,052
- Industrial product market surveillance assessments 426
- Total inspections and investigations 11,974
Which Sectors Received the Most Inspections?
- Construction 2,845
- Wholesale and retail 1,548
- Manufacturing 1,337
- Agriculture 1,243
- Transport and storage 871
- Health and social care 628
- Accommodation and food services 541
- Water, sewerage and waste services 461
- Administrative and support services 261
- Other sectors 1,988
The figures demonstrate the broad scope of the HSA’s inspection programme. Construction received substantially more inspections than any other individual sector.
Enforcement Action Remained Strong
The Authority also took significant enforcement action during 2025 where workplace standards were found to be inadequate.
- Prohibition notices issued 420
- Improvement notices issued 415
- Written advice letters issued 9,526
- Completed prosecutions 22
Completed prosecutions resulted in total fines of €2.468 million. Fifteen cases were heard in the Circuit Court, where the average fine was €164,666. The highest individual fine imposed was €650,000.
These figures demonstrate the serious financial consequences that can arise when an organisation fails to meet its health and safety obligations.
Enforcement action can also cause reputational damage, increased client scrutiny, project delays, business disruption and the loss of future tendering opportunities.
Supporting Families Following Workplace Tragedies
The report also highlights the work of the HSA’s Victim Liaison Office, which supports families affected by fatal workplace incidents.
During 2025, the Authority recorded 131 fatal accident investigations. Sixty cases were referred to the Victim Liaison Office, which facilitated more than 500 communications with affected families.
This work helps families remain informed about investigation progress and potential legal proceedings following a workplace tragedy.
What Should Employers Do Now?
The findings should encourage employers to critically review their current health and safety arrangements.
Organisations should be able to demonstrate that their safety systems are current, practical and being implemented consistently across the workplace.
- Review workplace risk assessments
- Update safe systems of work
- Check employee training records
- Review contractor management procedures
- Verify equipment inspection dates
- Carry out workplace safety audits
- Review emergency arrangements
- Confirm management responsibilities
Employers should be able to show not only that procedures exist, but that they are understood, followed and regularly reviewed.
How Dynamic Safety Solutions Can Help
Dynamic Safety Solutions supports businesses across Ireland, Northern Ireland and the UK with practical services designed to improve compliance, reduce risk and strengthen workplace safety.
Our team works with organisations across construction, utilities, manufacturing, transport, telecommunications and other high-risk sectors.
- Health and safety consultancy
- Workplace audits and inspections
- Risk assessments
- Employee safety training
- Accredited Health & Safety Training
- Equipment inspections
- ISO implementation
- Ongoing retained safety support
Do Not Wait for an Incident or Inspection
Speak with the Dynamic Safety Solutions team about reviewing your organisation’s health and safety arrangements, training requirements or compliance responsibilities.
Source: Health and Safety Authority Annual Report 2025. Statistics are based on information published by the HSA.
