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In 2025, the construction sector recorded 10 fatalities – double the number reported in 2024.
The CIF extends its deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, and friends of those who tragically lost their lives at work.
As confirmed by the Health and Safety Authority on 5th January, the leading causes of workplace fatalities were being hit or crushed by falling objects, incidents with machinery or vehicles, and falling from a height. These trends are also evident within the construction sector.
Mark Cullen, Chief Executive Officer of the Health and Safety Authority, stated:
“The fact that so many fatalities continue to involve machinery or vehicles, and falls from height, shows that well-known incident triggers are not being adequately controlled. These are hazards that can be managed through proper risk assessment, forward planning and ensuring that all employees are fully aware of the need to prioritise safe working behaviour.”
These sobering remarks from the HSA underline that these fatalities were preventable. Moreover, incidents occurred on both large and small sites, involving workers of all experience levels. Every worker faces the risk of serious injury or fatality. The CIF urges all members to refocus on site safety, engage in meaningful conversations with their teams (leveraging the CIF’s Refocus on Site Safety Toolbox Talk), and review existing control measures.
Health and Safety Calendar 2026
The CIF has updated its Safety, Health and Wellbeing Calendar to address the key focus areas for construction in 2026.
The purpose of the calendar is to promote a high-level of focus on site safety risks, as perceived by the CIF Safety and Health Subcommittee and key stakeholders such as Uisce Éireann and the Health and Safety Authority. The CIF will record and make available podcasts aligned with each monthly theme, from which toolbox talks will be extracted.
The calendar also endeavours to provide an itinerary of key diary events for each calendar month to reflect national and international campaigns for safety, health and wellbeing.