Figures published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) showed little change in the number of deaths in work-related accidents between 2002/3 and 2001/2.
There were 25 fewer deaths in 2002/3, while there was a slight increase in the rate of major work related injuries from the previous year, up by 1.9% to 28,426. Injuries causing three or more days absence from work fell by 2.4% to 126,004.
HSC chair Bill Callaghan said: "I am not surprised by these figures - they confirm the size of the occupational health problems we face and that progress on reducing injuries has broadly reached a plateau."
The rate of reported major industries during 2002/3 increased in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and services sectors, while it fell in the extractive and utility supply sectors.
The most common cause of major injuries to employees continued to be slipping and tripping, accounting for 37% of all major industries, revealed the HSC.
Being struck by a moving or falling object accounted for 145 of major injuries to employees, falling from a height accounted for 14% and being injured while handling lifting or carrying objects accounted for 12%.
