The Construction Industry Federation’s ‘Construction Safety Campaign’ 2025 launched at the Southwest Gate residential development, Dublin 12, in association with Walls Construction and O’Flynn Group. Pictured above at the launch are Aidan Liggan, Construction Development Director, O’Flynn Group, Frank Kelly, Executive Chairman, Walls Construction, Eileen O Leary, Health and Safety Authority (HSA), Andrew Brownlee, CEO, Construction Industry Federation and Fiona Bolger, CEO Spinal Injuries Ireland. Picture Conor McCabe Photography
Over the past 10 years, over 70 construction workers in Ireland have lost their lives due to falls from height
The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) launched its annual Construction Safety Campaign, running from October 13-24.
This year’s theme, Back to Basics, encourages construction companies across Ireland to revisit the core principles that keep workers safe.
The campaign, supported by the Construction Safety Partnership, places a strong focus on preventing falls from height, which remain the leading cause of fatalities in the industry.
Sean Downey, CIF Director of Safety, Education and Training, said: “Over the past ten years, seventy construction workers in Ireland have lost their lives due to falls from height, with six more fatalities this year recorded, most of them linked to falls.
“This year, we are urging the industry to step up and take decisive action to ensure that safety protocols are not just in place, but actively protecting every worker, every day.
“We’re reminding construction companies that, as outlined by the Health and Safety Authority, working at height refers to any place where a fall could cause injury, whether above, at, or below ground level. There’s no minimum height for these rules to apply, but once work is carried out at two metres, the law requires that proper safety measures are in place.
Pictured at the launch are Andrew Brownlee, CEO, Construction Industry Federation and Frank Kelly, Executive Chairman, Walls Construction. Picture Conor McCabe Photography
“Together, our five sub-themes, leadership in safety, working with utilities, developing the next generation, critical risks management, and falls from height form the backbone of the Back to Basics campaign,” Sean Downey added.
“They highlight key areas of focus for improving safety on site, empowering leaders to set the tone for safe practices, ensuring teams work safely around high-risk utilities like electricity and gas, investing in the next generation of skilled and safety-conscious workers, identifying and managing the most dangerous tasks and conditions, and tackling falls from height, which remain the leading cause of fatalities in the industry.
“By reinforcing these pillars, we’re encouraging companies to build a stronger, more proactive safety culture from the ground up. Companies are encouraged to host toolbox talks, workshops, and site-wide safety events aligned with these themes.”
The Construction Industry Federation has partnered with Spinal Injuries Ireland, a charity supporting individuals and families affected by spinal cord injuries.
The campaign also continues its collaboration with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, offering mental, physical, and emotional support to construction workers and their families.
This campaign is supported with sponsorship from leading construction companies and partners, John Sisk & Son, JJ Rhatigan & Co, PJ Hegarty & Sons, Walls Construction, Designer Group, Collen Construction, Suir Engineering, John Paul Construction, BAM, Uisce Eireann, Bennett Construction, Dornan, Murphy Ireland Ltd., Kirby, Jones Engineering, Winthrop Technologies, GMC and Arachas.
For more information on the Construction Safety Campaign visit www.cif.ie/safetycampaign.
