Some 55 people were killed in work related accidents last year, which an increase of 17% on 2013.

Figures released by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) today show fatalities in the agriculture sector increased by a massive 87% last year, with 30 people killed compared to 16 in 2013.

It is the fifth year in a row the agriculture sector recorded the highest number of deaths - representing roughly 55% of all work related deaths in 2014.

Meanwhile 54% of the fatalities involved vehicles - which is up 13% from the previous five year average to 2013.

Last year also saw the highest number of workplace fatalities since 2008.

But there were actually less workplace deaths in three sectors last year: construction (from 11 down to 8), fishing (5 down to 1) and transportation (4 down to 3).

The chief executive of the HSA is Martin O'Halloran.

He says they are hoping to keep the numbers down, as the construction industry takes off again.