The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) unveiled a television advert today that is designed to promote safety on construction sites.
The sector has been targeted as one of the most at risk in the Irish economy for fatalities and injuries in the workplace. There were 17 construction-related deaths in Ireland in 2003, with 11 deaths reported so far this year.
The ad aims to highlight the dangers relating to construction activity and the impact accidents can have on the individual, the family of the victim, the business and the wider community.
It is timed to go out in the middle of the HSA's two-week Autumn Construction Safety campaign to highlight its aims and to raise awareness of the European Week on Construction Safety starting on October 18th.
The Chief Executive of the HSA, Mr Tom Beegan, said: "We in the HSA are only too aware of the devastating effect that workplace accidents have on the lives of employees and their families.
"It is worth remembering that behind each and every fatality and accident statistic published by the Authority, there is an untold personal story of tragedy and hardship."
The €300,000 advert campaign will run throughout October on RTÉ 1, TV3 and Sky to target as many people as possible involved in the construction sector, from architects to labourers. A second run is planned before the end of the year.