11 May Latest News From the HSA
Farm Equipment Supplier fined €100,000 Following Workplace Fatality
A farm equipment supplier has been fined a total of €100,000 in the Circuit Criminal Court following a fatal work-related incident which occurred in Co Wexford in March 2021.
An employee was fatally injured when he was struck by a loading shovel as he walked across a yard.
The company earlier pleaded guilty to Section 8(2)(a) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, contrary to Section 77(9)(a) in that it failed in their duty to ensure the provision of appropriate controls and measures in respect of moving vehicles and pedestrians and failed to ensure the segregation of pedestrians from vehicles.
The company also pleaded guilty to Section 19 (1) of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, contrary to Section 77(2) in that it failed to undertake a written risk assessment and implement appropriate measures and controls following the provision and use of a large custom made front loading bucket attachment which adversely affected the forward facing visibility of the operative of the loading shovel.
Read the HSA Press Release in full here.
HSA Sun Exposure Campaign
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) recently launched its summer Sun Exposure Campaign, aimed at protecting outdoor workers from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
The campaign will run throughout the summer months, May to September 2026, combining national awareness raising activities with a targeted inspection programme. The HSA is urging employers to ensure practical protective measures are in place for workers who are exposed to UV from sunlight as part of their job, even on cloudy days or when overcast.
Outdoor workers, including those in construction, agriculture, quarries, utilities, transport and similar sectors, can be exposed to two to three times more UV radiation than indoor workers, particularly from now until the autumn when UV levels are highest.
Inspectors will assess whether employers:
- have considered UV exposure as part of their risk assessments,
- have taken steps to reduce exposure during peak UV times, and
- provide appropriate information, training and protective measures for workers.
The campaign aims to improve compliance, increase awareness and prevent long‑term harm among outdoor workers.
Read the full HSA press release and access campaign resources here.
All Island Quarry Safety Campaign
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (HSENI) are launching a two-week, All‑Island Concrete Block Making Safety Inspection Campaign, commencing today, 11 May.
The campaign aims to promote safer working practices in the manufacturing of concrete blocks using mobile block making plant which can present significant risks due to the routine use of large and powerful machinery.
Key areas under inspection:
- Work‑related vehicle safety, including pedestrian-vehicle segregation
- Appropriate training for drivers of loading shovels and industrial trucks/fork‑lift trucks
- Safe systems of work for concrete manufacturing, block‑making and strapping processes
- Adequate isolation and Lock Out, Tag Out, Try Out (LOTOTO) procedures during cleaning and maintenance activities
- Suitable guarding of machinery and conveyors
- Functional and effective safety devices
- Safe use of chemicals involved in the block‑making process
Quarrying and associated manufacturing activities accounted for five work‑related fatalities in the Republic of Ireland and three fatalities in Northern Ireland between 2021–2025,
Read the full HSA press release and access campaign resources here.