The Health and Safety Authority (HSA)

 

The Authority was established in 1989 under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989 and reports to the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Authority has a number of major roles.

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The Health and Safety Authority is:

1. The national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that over 2 million workers (employed and self-employed) and those affected by work activity are protected from work related injury and ill-health. This is achieved by enforcing occupational health and safety law, promoting accident prevention, and providing information and advice across all sectors, including retail, healthcare, manufacturing, fishing, entertainment, mining, construction, agriculture and food services.

2. The lead National Competent Authority for a number of chemicals regulations including REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation and Seveso II Directive. HSA's responsibility in this area is to protect human health (general public, consumers and workers) and the environment, to enhance competitiveness and innovation and ensure free movement of chemicals in the EU market.

3. A key agency involved in market surveillance and ensuring the safety of products used in workplaces and consumer applications. HSA has a remit to protect 4.5 million citizens from unsafe products and articles and to enable the international movement and trade of goods manufactured in Ireland.

 

The Health and Safety Authority strategic priorities are to:

• Regulate: Increase focus on compliance through risk based inspection and enforcement.

• Promote: Support, educate and raise awareness to prevent accidents, injuries and ill health.

• Accredit: Grow the national accreditation service to enable and support enterprises and public services.

• Influence: Partner and collaborate in support of healthy, safe and productive lives and enterprises.

• How HSA Work: Improve the way HSA work through people, processes and technology.