Health and Safety in Irish Businesses: June 2025 Highlights
Workplace safety in Ireland has seen encouraging progress this year—record low fatalities, stronger inspections, and evolving strategies are setting a new standard for businesses.
For employers, contractors, and safety teams, staying updated on these developments is more than just good practice—it’s essential for building safer, more compliant, and more productive environments.
In this post, we cover the latest trends and key updates shaping health and safety across Ireland.
Record Low Workplace Fatalities: A Major Milestone
In 2024, Ireland recorded its lowest-ever rate of work-related fatalities, marking a 23% drop from 2023.
Fatalities dropped from 43 in 2023 to 33 in 2024.
The fatality rate per 100,000 workers fell to just 1.2, down from 2.7 in 2015.
📉 Sector Breakdown
- Construction: Fatalities halved, from 10 to 5.
- Agriculture: Deaths dropped by 40%, from 20 to 12.
👤 Key Demographics
- Workers aged 55+ made up two-thirds of fatalities.
- 55% of deaths involved the self-employed.
- The main causes? Vehicle-related incidents, falling objects, and falls from height—reminding us that vigilance and training remain critical.
HSA Inspections: Increased Presence in 2025
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has ramped up efforts in 2025, with plans for 11,900 inspections—a 10% increase over the previous year.
🔎 Targeted Campaigns
- A two-week inspection blitz in May focused on quarry safety.
- A national campaign launched in June addresses silica dust risks in construction—an urgent issue due to its links with long-term illness.
- These efforts show the HSA’s focus on not only accident prevention but also long-term occupational health.
🛠️ New HSA Strategy (2025–2027)
The updated strategy emphasizes:
- Enhanced compliance support
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Adapting to risks from technology and an aging workforce
💰 Budgeting for Safety
Businesses are being urged to prioritize safety in their financial planning—not just for compliance, but to protect workers and boost productivity.
Looking Ahead: Areas for Action
“Safe Pass” for Farms: There are renewed calls to extend mandatory safety training (like that in construction) to agriculture.
Authorities remind all sectors: every workplace death is preventable.
National Safety Month: A Timely Reminder
June marks National Safety Month in Ireland. This nationwide campaign promotes hazard awareness, proactive safety training, and the importance of reporting near misses before they become incidents.
✅ Stay Compliant and Confident with EazySafe
At EazySafe, we help Irish businesses turn health and safety updates into real-world action. Whether you need safety training, inspection tools, or compliance support, our platform is designed to simplify and strengthen your safety culture.
👉 Discover how EazySafe can help you stay ahead in 2025.
Key Message: Ireland’s record low workplace fatalities and increased regulatory focus are good news—but safety isn’t automatic. Ongoing awareness, training, and smart systems are still key to keeping teams safe.
Let’s keep moving in the right direction—together
Conclusion
Irish businesses are experiencing a period of heightened attention to health and safety, with record low fatality rates, increased regulatory inspections, and new strategic priorities from the HSA. However, vigilance remains essential, particularly in high-risk sectors, and further initiatives—such as extending mandatory safety training to agriculture—are under active discussion.