Two killed in workplace incidents

Two men died in workplace incidents yesterday, taking the toll for employment-related deaths this year to 28.

A man working at a small engineering firm in Co Wexford was killed when a load came off a forklift truck and struck him.

The man, in his 40s, died at Wilson Engineering, Killmacree, Drinagh, at about 9pm last night. The man's body was removed from the scene and taken to Wexford General Hospital.

The scene, which is about 4km south of Wexford Town, was sealed off for a technical examination and gardaí are investigating the cause of the death.

In a separate incident, a man died when he fell from scaffolding while working on a house in Youghal, Co Cork. He was fitting a water tank at the rear of the home yesterday afternoon when he fell.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is investigating both accidents.

The man's death comes a day after the HSA published a report which showed an increase of work-related fatalities in 2010. The number of work-related deaths recorded last year increased with the agriculture sector again accounting for the majority.

A total of 48 deaths at work were reported last year, an increase on the record low of 43 in 2009.

Additional reporting: PA