The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) today urged company bosses to ensure the health and safety of their employees.
The HSA is marking the start of European Week for Safety and Health at Work by warning employers to protect workers while improving business performance.
The body said all organisations should use this week to refocus their efforts and make sure their places of work were safe.
Chief executive Martin O’Halloran said carrying out risk assessments was a legal requirement.
Mr O'Halloran added: “It is consistently shown that investing resources in health and safety is an investment, not a cost. In these times of economic uncertainty smart businesses, regardless of their size, know that it pays to invest in the safety, health and well-being of their employees.”
Last year 67 workplace deaths and 7,757 injuries reported to the authority. So far this year, more than 5,000 people have been injured and 50 killed at work.
The most recent death was reported yesterday, when a man in his 40s died in an accident at Tara Mines in Co Meath.
Throughout EU Safety Week, the HSA said it would highlight the importance of proactively assessing workplace risk.
Authority officials will focus on the issue during workplace inspections and information seminars in Cork, Galway, and Dublin.
PA