Health and Safety Authority publishes 2024 Annual Report highlighting strengthened enforcement, effective collaboration and targeted outreach programmes

Friday 18th July 2025

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has today, Friday 18th July, published its 2024 Annual Report, outlining a year marked by strong performance in workplace safety enforcement, collaborative engagement with national, EU and international partners, and targeted outreach programmes. The report marks the successful completion of the HSA’s 2022-2024 Strategy Statement and sets the stage for an impact-driven 2025-2027 strategy. 

In 2024, the HSA conducted over 11,600 workplace inspections and investigations across all economic sectors, with a particular focus on high-risk areas including construction, agriculture, manufacturing and healthcare. While there was a welcome decline in the number of reported workplace fatalities - down to 34, the lowest level recorded since the Authority’s establishment in 1989 - each fatality is acknowledged as a preventable tragedy.

Minister of State for Employment, Small Business and Retail, Alan Dillon TD, welcomed the publication of the report and praised the HSA’s leadership in advancing workplace safety, health and welfare.

“The HSA’s 2024 Annual Report shows what determined, collaborative and strategic public service can achieve”, said Minister Dillon. “While the reduction in workplace fatalities is encouraging, we cannot become complacent. I commend the Authority’s efforts to integrate digital tools, expand stakeholder education, and address modern challenges related to psychosocial hazards and digitalisation in the workplace. This work is essential to keeping Irish workers safe and our economy competitive.”

Patricia Byron, Chairperson of the HSA, said,

“We acknowledge with deep regret the 34 lives lost in Irish workplaces in 2024. Every life lost is a stark reminder of why we must continue to invest in prevention, education and enforcement. The HSA remains steadfast in its commitment to working with all stakeholders to prevent future tragedies and to fostering a national culture of safety and health at work.”

Significant strategic achievements highlighted in the report include:

Regulatory Activity:

The Authority carried out targeted inspection campaigns across construction, agriculture, waste, quarrying, manufacturing, and public service sectors. It also addressed emerging risks such as workplace bullying, psychosocial hazards and fatigue through focused initiatives.

Chemicals Leadership:

Over 98% of manufactured goods rely on chemicals, meaning the sector is a cornerstone of Ireland’s competitiveness. The Authority played a leading role in shaping the regulatory landscape through its work supporting the Minister and the provision of technical expertise to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) scientific committees.

Widespread Education and Outreach:

BeSMART.ie, the Authority’s free online risk assessment tool for small businesses, saw over 20,000 new user registrations, bringing total users to over 130,000 while the HSA’s learning platform delivered nearly 74,000 online training courses. 

National Accreditation Growth:

The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB) awarded 13 new accreditations and 159 scope extensions across testing, certification and inspection sectors. The first accreditation assessment of a biobanking facility was also completed under ISO 20387.

The report also highlights the Authority’s extensive collaboration with employer and worker representatives, state agencies and international bodies. Key examples include joint initiatives with the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána on work-related driving risks, and national advisory committees for the construction, agriculture, and the health and social care sectors.

“This report not only reflects the outcomes of our 2022 - 2024 strategy, but it also charts a course for a more innovative, outcome-focused Authority,”

 said Mark Cullen, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the HSA. 

“We are evolving to meet the needs of a changing world of work - from digitalisation and remote working to new hazardous chemicals and psychosocial risks. Collaboration across sectors, with government, our European counterparts, employers and workers will be critical. Our vision remains clear: to deliver healthy and safe working lives and contribute to productive enterprises in every part of Ireland.”

The HSA's new Strategy Statement for 2025 - 2027, approved at the end of 2024, will continue to build on strong foundations. It places renewed emphasis on achieving measurable outcomes, enhancing resource efficiency, and improving the Authority’s ability to prevent harm through education, partnership and proportionate enforcement.

The full 2024 Annual Report is available on the HSA’s website at this link.