Farming accounted for 12 out of 33 work-related deaths in 2024, according to provisional data published by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). This represents over one third of all deaths from a sector employing just 4% of the workforce; a stark figure.

Three of these farm-related deaths were as a result of an attack from an animal, two of which the HSA confirmed were by bulls.

Ireland recorded its lowest ever rate of work-related fatalities across the board in 2024. There were also eight fewer deaths on farms in 2024 compared with 2023.

The HSA has said that the fatality rate per 100,000 workers has fallen from 2.7 to 1.2 in the 10-year period from 2015 to 2024, marking the fewest work-related deaths since the establishment of the authority in 1989. The construction sector saw a significant decline from 10 fatalities in 2023 to five in 2024, a decline of 50%.

Living with danger

We all know and acknowledge that agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in Ireland and across the globe, and likely always will be, the same way as construction will be.

We will never be on par with the accident or death rate of the likes of an industry that conducts their business within the confines of an air-conditioned office, but the reduced volume of deaths shows that extra precautions lead to fewer deaths.

I think a lot of it comes down to peers and perception. If we make the likes of PTO shafts, proper braking and lighting on farm machinery and good facilities for handling livestock the norm, then being anything less than that should evoke change for the better. It’s not only for our own health and safety; vets, contractors, AI technicians, etc, deserve safe facilities to conduct their work. We are finding it difficult enough to attract people in to these areas without there being substandard working conditions.