Health and Safety Authority
Topic: Organization
From HandWiki - Reading time: 2 min
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| State agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment overview | |
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| Formed | 1989[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Ireland |
| Headquarters | The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1[1] |
| State agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment executives | |
| Key document |
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| Website | HSA website |
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is a state-sponsored body in Ireland which has responsibility for occupational health and safety.[4] Its role is to secure health and safety at work.[5] It was established under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 and reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.[4] The HSA, which operates from its headquarters in Dublin, also has offices in Kilkenny, Athlone, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo and Waterford.[citation needed]
The HSA has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland.[citation needed] It monitors compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action – including prosecutions which can result in fines or imprisonment.[6] It also promotes education, training, and research in the field of health and safety.[citation needed]
Occupational safety and health policy is determined by a twelve-member board.[citation needed] The appointment of the board is a function of the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.[citation needed]
In 2016, the Irish Times reported that workplace safety inspections, undertaken by the HSA, had dropped from 15,340 in 2011 to 10,719 in 2014.[7] The reduction in inspections was attributed to "staff cutbacks" at the HSA.[7]
The agency, which collates data on accidents and injuries at work,[8] noted a 61% increase in work-related fatalities during 2025.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Public Service Data Catalogue - About - Health and Safety Authority". https://datacatalogue.gov.ie/organization/about/health-and-safety-authority. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ↑ "HSA confirms appointment of new CEO". 21 October 2025. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/hsa-confirms-appointment-of-new-ceo/. "The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has announced Mark Cullen as its new chief executive officer [..] Cullen, who has been serving as interim CEO since earlier this year, is formally assuming the role following his appointment by the board"
- ↑ "Health and Safety Authority - Board". https://www.hsa.ie/eng/about_us/board/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 A Short Guide to The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, p. 4, https://www.hsa.ie/media/4rspd4od/short_guide_shwwa_2005.pdf
- ↑ "Health and safety at work" (in en). https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/health-and-safety/health-safety-work/.
- ↑ "Health and Safety Enforcement in Ireland". 19 October 2019. https://www.mccannfitzgerald.com/knowledge/construction-and-engineering/health-and-safety-enforcement-in-ireland. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Cutbacks blamed for drop in HSA workplace inspections". 2 August 2016. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/cutbacks-blamed-for-drop-in-hsa-workplace-inspections-1.2741778.
- ↑ "HSA Annual Review Of Workplace Injuries, Illnesses And Fatalities 2023–2024". https://www.hsa.ie/media/cgxibhgx/hsa-annual-review-of-workplace-injuries-illnesses-and-fatalities-2023-2024.pdf. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
- ↑ "Sharp rise in work-related deaths in 2025". 5 January 2026. https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0105/1551457-work-related-deaths/.
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