The figure is a significant decrease on the previous year’s total of 35 and the five-year average for fatal injuries in the sector which stands at 37.

Construction again accounted for the largest number of fatal accidents across all industries with the total death toll standing at 126 during the year.

The most common cause of fatal injuries continues to be falls from a height (31), representing around a quarter of worker deaths.

The HSE also confirmed there were 2,146 mesothelioma deaths in 2024 through past exposure to asbestos.