Five people died in workplace incidents in Galway last year, according to figures released this week by the Health and Safety Authority.
According to the HSA a total of 55 people were killed in workplaces around the country in 2015, the same figure as recorded the previous year.
Three of the five Galway incidents involved crush fatalities. One person died from vertical impact due to a fall, while the remaining Galway fatality was categorised as an other hazardous contact injury.
Two of the recorded Galway deaths occurred in the agriculture sector. One was in construction; one in water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities; and one in the wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles category.
Despite a significant drop in the number of deaths in the sector nationally last year, agriculture remains by far the most common sector for fatalities, with 18 deaths recorded last year. A total of four children died in agriculture-related incidents last year, including a young boy in Co Galway.
The report found that nationally incidents involving vehicles were the main cause of fatal accidents in the workplace, accounting for 21 of the total. Fifteen people were killed as a result of falls from height, the second most common cause of death.
Two-thirds of work-related deaths (37 of 55 ) occurred in businesses with fewer than 10 employees, mainly in agriculture, construction, and fishing.
