News & Info

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA), together with the the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSE NI), are running a campaign throughout October 2025 that aims to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries from falls for those working in the construction and farming industries.

Falls from heights are consistently one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in both these industries

Since 2015, across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland combined, there have tragically been 70 construction related fatalities where workers fell from heights.

In farming, there were 37 fatalities linked to falls since 2015 throughout the island of Ireland.

Inspectors from the HSA in Ireland and the HSE in Northern Ireland will visit construction sites and farms of all sizes to ensure compliance with the legal requirements for working at heights.

Solicitor Maria Lakes has worked with a number of farm accident claims clients and building site accident claims clients over the years who have been injured in falls, and she welcomes this initiative to improve safety.

“Unfortunately, accidents continue to occur in these high-risk sectors and falls from heights often result in lifelong injuries for workers. I have gone through the claims process with people who were injured in scaffolding accidents, cherry picker accidents, crane accidents and ladder accidents and I’ve seen first-hand that the injuries sustained can have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life,” says Maria.

“Because of the risks inherent in working at heights, safety must always be front of mind,” she adds. “When safety measures are followed, accidents are prevented, it’s as simple as that. So, any campaign that reminds employers and employees of their duty of care, and how to stay safe while working at heights, is so important – it literally can save lives.”

For the construction site visits, the safety campaign will focus on:

• risk assessments and planning;
• appropriate training and certification for working at heights;
• use of guardrails, harnesses and netting where required to prevent falls; and
• safe use of scaffolding and ladders.

During the farm visits, inspectors will focus on:

• safe systems for working at heights;
• use of equipment such as Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs);
• how to safely stack and handle bales;
• encouraging farmers to engage contractors for high-risk tasks; and
• awareness of roof safety.

If you have been injured in an accident while working on a construction site or on a farm, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact our specialist accident at work solicitors for a confidential discussion about your case today.

Source: All-island safety campaign targets deadly falls in construction and farming – Health and Safety Authority