Safety Toolbox Talk: There were two work-related fatalities in Leitrim in 2025, new report states

meeting details

Topic: Analysis of the 2025 HSA Fatality Report and Site Safety Reinforcement

Goal: To review the recent surge in national workplace fatalities and implement immediate controls to prevent similar accidents on our site.

the incident: what happened?

Script: “Listen up everyone. We are reviewing a serious report from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) regarding the 2025 calendar year. The data is grim and serves as a wake-up call for every person on this site. Workplace fatalities in Ireland have surged significantly, rising from 36 in 2024 to 58 in 2025. This isn’t just a national statistic; it hit home locally in County Leitrim, where two work-related deaths were recorded during this period. We cannot afford to be complacent; the numbers show that the margin for error is disappearing.”

Script: “The breakdown of these 58 deaths reveals a disturbing trend across all industries. The agriculture sector remains the most hazardous, accounting for 40% of all fatalities with 23 deaths. However, the construction sector saw deaths double, jumping from 5 to 10 in a single year. Manufacturing also saw a lethal spike, recording 5 fatalities compared to zero the previous year. Perhaps most concerning is who is dying: 40% of the victims were self-employed, and 33% were aged 65 or older, with the oldest victim being 88 years old. The primary killers remain the same: being struck or crushed by falling objects, incidents involving machinery or vehicles, and falls from height. We are here to ensure no one on this crew becomes a statistic in the next report.”

core safety lesson

The technical failure in these 58 tragedies often boils down to a breakdown in basic kinetic energy management and site segregation. When we look at the primary cause—being struck by moving vehicles or falling objects—we are looking at a failure to respect “Line of Fire” hazards. A vehicle in motion or a load suspended in the air possesses lethal force that no amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) can withstand. The data shows that self-employed individuals and older workers are at higher risk, likely due to working alone or relying on outdated habits that bypass modern control measures.

The Hazard: Uncontrolled Machinery Movement and Falling Objects.
The Control: Strict “Safe Stop” Procedures and Enforced Exclusion Zones.

The “Safe Stop” procedure—handbrake on, engine off, key out—is non-negotiable. It eliminates the risk of accidental vehicle movement or mechanical failure while the operator is vulnerable. Similarly, exclusion zones are the only reliable defense against falling objects. If a load is being slung or overhead work is being performed, the area below must be physically cordoned off. We do not rely on “watching out”; we rely on physical barriers and strict procedural compliance. These controls are non-negotiable because they account for human error. If the procedure is followed, the error doesn’t result in a fatality.

supervisor’s discussion guide

Script: “I want to hear from you on how we are actually performing out there. Be honest.”

Q1: “Looking at our own vehicle movements and plant equipment today, where is the biggest risk of a pedestrian being struck?”

Q2: “The report shows 10 deaths in construction last year. If you saw a senior worker or a sub-contractor bypassing a safety guard or skipping a ‘Safe Stop,’ would you feel empowered to stop them?”

Q3: “We have overhead work scheduled this week. How are we ensuring that no one can accidentally wander into the drop zone?”

Q4: “With 33% of fatalities involving workers over 65, how are we looking out for our more experienced or older crew members who might be pushing themselves too hard?”

action plan & inspection

Immediately following this meeting, all supervisors and crew leads must conduct the following inspections:

• Vehicle Check: Verify that every piece of mobile plant has a functional handbrake and that operators demonstrate the “Safe Stop” (Key Out) rule.
• Exclusion Zones: Inspect all active lifting areas and overhead work sites to ensure physical barriers (tape or barriers) are present and respected.
• Height Safety: Audit all ladders to ensure they are secured/tied off and verify that MEWPs are being used for any long-duration high-level tasks.
• Storage Audit: Check all materials stored at height or stacked in the yard to ensure they are secure and cannot collapse or be displaced by wind or vibration.
• Signage & Fragile Surfaces: Ensure all fragile roofing or floor openings are clearly identified with high-visibility warnings and physical covers or crawling boards.

Source: Read Original Report