The number of work-related deaths recorded last year rose by 15 per cent with the agriculture sector again accounting for the majority of fatalities.
New figures from the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) show there were 55 workplace deaths in 2011, compared to 48 in 2010.
A record low of 43 fatalities was recorded in 2009.
“This is the second year in a row that the total number of workplace fatalities has increased. The fact is that behind these statistics there are human tragedies, lives lost and families ruined," said the HSA's chief executive Martin O'Halloran.
"Everyone has the right to go to work without danger to their safety or health,” he added.
The agriculture sector accounted for more than a third of all work-related deaths last year with 22 fatalities. This compares to 25 deaths in the preceding year.
From 2008 to 2011, a total of 74 deaths have been recorded on Irish farms.
The high fatality rate in agriculture has led the authority to increase inspections and safety awareness raising activities in the sector.
The second largest number of work-place deaths last year was recorded in the transport and storage sector where eight fatalities took place, an increase from three a year earlier.
In the construction sector there were six deaths last year, the same number reported in 2010. Workplace-related deaths in the sector have more than halved since 2008 when 15 deaths were recorded.
Over 25 per cent of all workplace deaths recorded in 2011 occurred in Co Cork where 14 fatalities were reported. The second highest number of deaths was in Co Tipperary where five people died.
In the period from 2001 to 2011, a total of 638 work-related deaths were reported to the HSA. In addition, over 81,000 non-fatal incidents that resulted in more than three day's absence from work have been recorded.
