Role of the HSA

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland.

We monitor compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action (up to and including prosecutions). We are the national centre for information and advice to employers, employees and self-employed on all aspects of workplace health and safety.

The HSA also promotes education, training and research in the field of health and safety.

Our Remit

There are a wide range of activities that fall under our remit including:

• Promotion of good standards of health and safety at work;
• Inspection of all places of work and monitoring of compliance with health and safety laws;
• Investigation of serious accidents, causes of ill health and complaints;
• Undertaking and sponsoring research on health and safety at work;
• Developing and publishing codes of practice, guidance and information documents;
• Providing an information service during office hours;
• Developing new laws and standards on health and safety at work.

Consultation

Because safety is everybody's responsibility there is always wide consultation with employers, employees and their respective organisations.

To help develop sound policies and good workplace practices the HSA works with various advisory committees and task forces which focus on specific occupations or hazards.