Call for Organisations to Support Safety Representatives on Workers’ Memorial Day

Monday 28th April 2025

• Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Health and Safety Authority are appealing to more employers to support Safety Representatives to foster a workplace safety culture 
• It comes as a ceremony is held in Dublin today to mark Workers’ Memorial Day 
• Between 2015 and 2024, 447 people died in work-related incidents and many thousands more were severely injured or made ill
• In 2024 alone, 34 people died in work-related incidents

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Health and Safety Authority are calling on more organisations across all sectors to support and facilitate the appointment of safety representatives within their workplaces, to help foster a culture of workplace safety and in turn prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths. 

The appeal comes on Workers’ Memorial Day, a day dedicated to remembering workers who have lost their lives, been injured or contracted illnesses at or because of work. A special national commemorative ceremony is being held at the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin this morning, April 28th 2025. 

The event will be addressed by the Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, as well as the representatives of the Health and Safety Authority, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Ibec and the Construction Industry Federation. 

447 people died in work-related incidents in Ireland over the past decade (2015 – 2024) and many thousands more have been made ill at or because of work. 

“One death is one too many,”

 said Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD. 

“Every workplace should prioritise the health and safety of its employees and do all in its power to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths. Positive worker engagement and consultation with trade unions, including the selection of Safety Representatives, is a tangible way towards engraining a safer working environment, where employees feel valued, protected and empowered to speak up about safety concerns. By embracing the Safety Representative model, organisations demonstrate their commitment to prioritising the well-being of employees and promote a culture of safety excellence”

 he added. 

Safety representatives are workers who serve as liaisons between management and staff, advocating for effective safety protocols. Safety representatives play a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of workers, identifying hazards, and supporting employers in implementing proactive measures to mitigate risks. 

Their presence not only enhances workplace safety but also promotes open communication channels, enabling swift resolution of safety issues before they escalate into serious incidents.

“All of the evidence shows that workplaces are safer when there is a recognised trade union and where there is genuine partnership, and consultation and collective bargaining between employers and trade unions,”

 said Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. 

"Under the current legislation, employees are entitled to elect a safety representative to represent them on safety and health matters with their employer. On construction sites where there are more than 20 people employed at any one time, the project supervisor for the construction stage must facilitate the appointment of a safety representative. There are thousands of trade union safety representatives in workplaces nationwide, but we need more. Together we can honour the memory of fallen workers, create safer workplaces, and protect lives,”

 he added.

• 34 people were killed in workplace incidents in 2024. Two thirds of all fatalities (22) occurred to those aged 55 and over.
• Agriculture, forestry and fishing accounted for 12 fatalities, all of which were farming incidents representing over a third of all fatalities from a sector employing just 4% of the workforce.
• The construction sector saw a significant decline from 10 fatalities in 2023 to 5 in 2024, a decline of 50%.

“We've made significant strides since the inception of the Health and Safety Authority in 1989, evident in the halving of the fatality rate,”

said Mark Cullen, Chief Inspector with the Health and Safety Authority. 

"It is positive to see such a decline in the overall fatality figures for 2024, in particular the significant reduction in the high-risk agriculture and construction sectors. However, every work-related death is preventable. Vigilance and advance planning around health and safety at work is crucial to lowering the number of deaths further. Employers must strive to create a culture where unsafe work practices are called out and challenged by all. Close collaboration between employers and employees is crucial, and the encouragement and facilitation by employers of a worker-elected safety representative is a great way to achieve this,” he added.

The Health and Safety Authority has guidance and supports available for both employers and employees. The free www.BeSMART.ie tool allows employers or the self-employed to carry out risk assessments and identify where the risks are to worker safety in their workplaces. There are also free online training courses for workers across different sectors on the HSA dedicated online training platform www.HSALearning.ie . The Work Positive tool kit is a free State and stakeholder supported psychosocial risk management process that helps organisations identify ways to improve employee wellbeing

For more information on the role of Safety Representatives, read our information sheet "Becoming a safety representative or joining the safety committee". 

Follow the HSA on X, Facebook, or LinkedIn, follow ICTU on X and Facebook, and use the hashtag #WorkersMemorialDay.

ENDS