The number of construction related deaths in the workplace dropped from five to two in 2015/16 compared to the previous year, according to the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI).

In its Annual Report, figures from 2015/16 showed workplace fatalities were down 48% to 12 compared to 23 in the previous year. Farm related fatalities were also down from nine to six.

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HSENI's Chief Executive Keith Morrison said: "Each fatality is a tragic event and is devastating for the family left behind. HSENI is committed to preventing loss of life and reducing the number of workplace incidents.

"While it is encouraging that there has been a decrease in the number of workplace fatalities, the overall number of serious incidents remains too high. We will continue to focus on those activities and work areas where the most serious injuries are known to occur.

"HSENI will also continue to focus its resources on reducing occupational ill-health, such as occupational lung disorders and cancers, and improving the safety performance across all work sectors."

(CD/LM)