Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, has said 2014 was a “horrific year for the agriculture sector”.
Thirty agricultural workers died last year, compared to 16 in 2013. The sector accounted for 55 per cent of all work related deaths in 2014.
Mr O’Halloran said the number of fatal accidents on Irish farms last year was the highest in more than 20 years.
“In May of 2014 alone there were five people killed. It is particularly tragic that five children lost their lives on Irish farms last year,” he said.
The HSE said it is launching a new plan in 2015 in a bid to reduce workplace fatalities.
