Farmers and construction workers have been advised to be extra careful when working at heights following a weather warning from Met Eireann predicting gale force winds and thundery conditions this evening.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) reminded contractors to check safety on sites as a matter of ugency and to ensure in particular that scaffolding, hoarding, gates and temporary structures are stable.
Met Éireann has forecast strong or gale force winds with severe gusts of 110 to 140km per hour in the north and west. Elsewhere, winds of between 90 and 110 km per hour are expected.
The HSA said it is essential that farmers do not go onto shed roofs to inspect or tie down sheeting in windy conditions as a number of fatal accidents have occurred when farmers have fallen while attempting this.
Unsecured gates on farms can also present a risk during windy weather.
"High winds can make working conditions unsafe and anyone working in these conditions should be aware of the hazards. It is imperative that safety procedures are adhered to in order to ensure worker protection," said HSA chief executive Tom Beegan.
The body urged construction workers to consider whether scaffolding is designed for high winds and to inspect such structures after the windy conditions had abated.
Construction staff should also ensure small items are properly secured on a site, as debris may be scattered at high speed in such weather conditions, the HSA said.