Health and Safety Authority

Short description: Regulatory body

Health and Safety Authority

State agency of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment overview
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|

* Mark Cullen, Chief Executive (as of 2025)[2]
* Patricia Byron, Chairperson (as of 2025)[3]

Key document|

* Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989[1]

Website| HSA website
Warning notices about worker health and safety at the Corlis Point lighthouse.

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. ↑ 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.
2. ↑ "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"
3. ↑ "Health and Safety Authority - Board". https://www.hsa.ie/eng/about_us/board/.
4. ↑ 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
5. ↑ "Health and safety at work" (in en). https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/employment/employment-rights-and-conditions/health-and-safety/health-safety-work/.
6. ↑ "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. ↑ 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.
8. ↑ "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.
9. ↑ "Sharp rise in work-related deaths in 2025". 5 January 2026. https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/0105/1551457-work-related-deaths/.

## External links

* Official website

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