The HSA’s latest figures show a sharp rise in workplace fatalities in Ireland – a stark reminder that risk assessments must be practical, current and embedded in everyday work.
Key takeaways
- Workplace risks are not abstract. Everyday activities like driving, machinery use and working at height continue to cause serious harm when controls drift from real working practices.
- Effective risk assessments go beyond paperwork. They focus on real tasks, clear controls and regular reviews, ensuring everyone understands what safe working looks like in practice.
- With increased HSA inspections planned for 2025, now is the time for employers to refresh assessments, verify site practices and strengthen supervision to prevent harm.
Why the 2025 figures are a wake up call
Risk assessments can feel like admin, until something goes wrong. The latest Health and Safety Authority (HSA) figures highlight how quickly risk can turn into tragedy and why every organisation needs to keep controls current, practical and understood on the ground.
- 58 people died in work related incidents in Ireland in 2025, a 61% increase on 2024.
- The fatality rate increased from 1.3 to 2.1 per 100,000 workers.
- Agriculture accounted for 23 deaths (40% of all fatalities) despite employing about 4% of the workforce.
- Construction recorded 10 fatalities (up from 5 in 2024) and manufacturing recorded 5 (up from 0 in 2024).
- Older and self employed workers were disproportionately affected: 33% of victims were aged 65+ and 40% were self employed.
These are provisional figures, but the pattern is clear: familiar hazards like vehicles, machinery, falls and falling objects remain major killers.
What a good risk assessment should do
A strong risk assessment is more than a form. It should identify the real hazards in how work is actually done, confirm what controls are in place, and make sure everyone understands what ‘safe’ looks like day to day.
- Focus on high-risk tasks first: vehicles at work, working at height, machinery, lifting and manual handling, and lone working.
- Be specific about controls. For example: segregation of pedestrians and vehicles, guarding and lock off procedures, safe systems for work at height, and clear supervision and competency checks.
- Build in review points: after incidents and near misses, when equipment or processes change, and at least annually for higher risk activities.
The hidden cost of non fatal incidents
Fatalities are the most visible indicator, but serious harm happens far more often. The HSA’s most recent annual review reported 10,441 non fatal workplace incidents in 2024 and significant lost working time: 688,000 days lost due to work related injuries and 1,330,000 due to work related illnesses.
While 2025 non fatal figures are not yet published, the 2024 data shows why prevention pays. Injuries and illnesses disrupt teams, increase overtime and agency costs, and can have significant long-term impacts on employee wellbeing.
What the HSA is focusing on in 2026
The HSA’s Programme of Work 2026 outlines a clear focus on targeting high risk activity, promising to deliver approximately 11,000 inspections under its occupational safety and health remit.
That’s why now is the best time for employers to check that their risk assessments, training records and site controls are up to date and reflective of current work practices.
Practical steps to strengthen safety now
- Refresh your risk register. Prioritise the hazards most associated with fatalities, particularly vehicles, machinery and working at height.
- Walk the job. Verify that the documented controls match what happens in real life, across shifts and locations.
- Make it easy to do the right thing. Simplify procedures, improve signage, and remove barriers to reporting hazards and near misses.
- Support supervisors. Equip line leaders to spot unsafe behaviours, intervene early and reinforce safe systems of work.
- Document your decisions. Keep evidence of assessments, training, briefings and reviews.
How SeaChange can help
SeaChange supports employers with practical, risk based health and safety services, including risk assessments, safety statements, audits, incident investigation support and tailored training. If you would like help reviewing your current controls or building a proportionate safety programme for your sector, our specialists can help.
Book your free consultation with SeaChange today and learn how our Health & Safety experts can help you manage risk in your industry.
