Workplace Fatality

One of our key functions is to promote and regulate safety and health at work. We help all who work in all sectors to do so safely and in a way that prevents workplace accidents and ill health.

As part of our role, we investigate all fatalities that are related to work activity. The main reasons for undertaking these investigations are to help us:

• fully understand what happened and why;
• learn from and prevent similar accidents from happening in the future;
• determine whether any organisation or individual has failed in their duties; and
• determine whether any action should be taken, including enforcement or legal action including prosecution.

We are conscious of and sensitive to the fact that when a work-related fatality occurs it is a time of extreme trauma and grief for the next of kin and family members who have lost a family member in a workplace accident. To help families understand our role we have produced an advice booklet explaining the general process involved in a fatal accident investigation.

In addition to ourselves, the following organisations may be able to offer support in such circumstances:

Citizens Information Board

www.citizensinformationboard.ie
Tel: 076 107 9000

Coroner Service

www.coroners.ie
Tel: 046 909 1323

Embrace FARM – Farm Accident Support Network

www.embracefarm.com
Tel: 085 770 9966