ARTICLE · 02 MARCH 2021

Courts Sound Stark Warning About Working At Height

Arthur Cox

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Falls from height remain the leading cause of death and serious injury among construction workers. What does health and safety law and guidance have to say?

IrelandEmployment and HR

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Falls from height remain the leading cause of death and serious injury among construction workers. What does health and safety law and guidance have to say?

In December 2020, the Health and Safety Authority published its Annual Review of Workplace Injury, Illness and Fatality Statistics for 2018-2019, which details the causes and characteristics of injuries, illnesses and fatalities in the workplace.

Of the 47 fatal work-related accidents reported to the HSA in 2019, one in four occurred in the construction sector. As in previous years, the most common cause of an accident leading to a fatal injury remains falling from height – accounting for 23% of all fatal accidents in the report.

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This article contains a general summary of developments and is not a complete or definitive statement of the law. Specific legal advice should be obtained where appropriate.

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