The Minister for Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen, has called on Irish workers to redouble efforts on safety in the workplace during 2007.
Some 303 workers have been fatally injured in Irish workplaces in the past five years, with 2005 recording the highest toll of 74.
Meanwhile, workplace accidents and illnesses are estimated to cost the economy in the region of €3.6 billion every year. "Add to this the human suffering in terms of families bereaved and the pain and other suffering endured and a distressing picture emerges", Mr Killeen said.
He added: "We need to be constantly vigilant because when we look at the cause of many accidents we see that most could have been avoided."