The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 is the cornerstone of workplace safety law in Ireland. If you employ people - or you are an employee - it sets out the duties you both carry. This plain-English guide explains what the Act requires, what it says about training, and how it shapes everyday practice. It is general information, not legal advice; always read the Act itself or seek professional advice for your situation.
What the Act is for
The Act exists to protect the safety, health and welfare of people at work. It replaced earlier legislation, established the framework the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces, and made clear that safety is a shared, active responsibility - not a box to tick once and forget.
Employer duties
- Provide and maintain a safe workplace, safe equipment and safe systems of work.
- Identify hazards and manage risks (the basis of your safety statement).
- Provide the information, instruction, training and supervision employees need.
- Adapt and repeat training when risks change.
- Consult employees on safety and provide protective equipment where required.
The training duty is central. Section 10 deals specifically with instruction, training and supervision, and requires that training be adapted to new or changed risks and repeated periodically. For the practical side, see health and safety training for employers.
Employee duties
- Take reasonable care of your own safety and that of others.
- Co-operate with your employer on safety matters.
- Use protective equipment and follow safe procedures.
- Report hazards, defects and dangerous situations.
- Not be under the influence of anything that could endanger safety.
More detail in employee responsibilities in Ireland.
What it means for training
The Act does not name specific mandatory courses for every job. Instead it links training to risk: assess your hazards, then train for them. That is why a risk assessment comes first, and why training is required but flexible in form.
The Act sets the duty; your risk assessment sets the content. Online courses can deliver the awareness and understanding the Act expects, while hands-on instruction, supervision and workplace risk assessment remain the employer's responsibility where the task requires them.
The HSA's role
The Health and Safety Authority is Ireland's national body for occupational safety and health. It enforces the Act, publishes guidance, and inspects workplaces. Treat HSA material as the authoritative reference point for compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Act apply to every workplace?
It applies broadly across employments in Ireland, covering employers, employees, the self-employed in many respects, and others affected by work activities.
Does it list mandatory courses?
No. It requires training appropriate to the risks of the work, identified through risk assessment, rather than a fixed national course list.
Where can I read the official text?
The full Act is published on the Irish Statute Book, and the HSA provides guidance on applying it in practice.
Put the law into practice: start with the health and safety training guide or browse courses.
