A construction worker was killed on a site in Co Donegal this morning.
The man was working on a housing development on the outskirts of Milford when he died shortly before 9am. It is understood the man, who has not yet been named, died instantly when he was struck by the bucket of an excavator .
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and gardaí are investigating the accident, which was the first workplace death of 2007. Last year 50 work-related deaths were reported to the HSA, compared to 74 fatalities in 2005, a reduction of 32 per cent.
Agriculture remained the most dangerous sector having 18 deaths, while 12 people lost their lives in the construction industry. Over 7,000 non-fatal work injuries were reported to the Authority throughout 2006.
"We are investigating the incident and an inspector is at the scene," said a HSA spokesman.
PA