Keeping care safe and healthy
eolas Magazine hears how the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is working collaboratively to safeguard employees working in the health and social care sector.
As a regulator under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Health and Safety Authority plays a key role in promoting safety in the workplace, enhancing our regulatory frameworks, and supporting the competitiveness and sustainability of Ireland’s economy. The Authority’s broad mandate includes occupational safety and health, chemicals and industrial products regulation, as well as providing the national accreditation service.
One of the Authority’s primary responsibilities is the regulation and promotion of occupational health and safety. In 2024, the Authority conducted over 11,600 inspections and investigations throughout the year. These spanned all economic sectors, with a particular focus on high-risk industries including the Health and Social Care sector. The Authority provides resources for employers and workers, equipping them with tools and guidance to uphold health and safety standards. Our online learning portal provides accessible training for thousands of workers.
Health and Safety Authority: Health and Social Care Inspectorate
The HSA has a dedicated team of inspectors in the Health and Social Care Unit under the Occupational Health Division. The inspectors focus on regulating and promoting occupational health and safety in the health and social care sector. Inspections are undertaken across all health and social care settings focusing on improving occupational health and safety and compliance with legal requirements. The HSA provides a wide range of information, advice and supports for the health and social care sector. Resources for the sector include webpage information, guidance documents, information sheets, risk assessments for health and social care business types and a suite of health and social care e-learning courses.
Health and social care sector profile
The health and social care sector is a significant employer in Ireland. The sector accounted for 13.7 per cent of all employed persons in 2024 and is the largest employment sector in Ireland. Central Statistics Office (CSO) data indicate that 382,500 persons are employed in human health and social work activities (CSO Labour Force Survey (LFS) Q4 2024).
Approximately two-thirds of the health and social care sector’s workforce is female (CSO LFS 2024), with nurses and midwives comprising the largest occupational group (CSO Census 2022). The sector reports the highest number of non-fatal work-related ‘over three days’ incidents to the Health and Safety Authority. CSO data indicates that the reported work-related injury and illness rates are significant when compared with other NACE economic activity sectors.
Workplaces in this sector are diverse, including hospitals, nursing homes, dental clinics, primary care centres, offices, residential care facilities, and workers providing care for people in their own homes. Due to the complex nature of the work involved with patients and service users, for example, use of complex equipment, caring for those with behaviours of concern, the challenges facing the health and social care sector must be considered.
Health and social care workers are exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards, such as, psychosocial hazards (violence and aggression, lone working, shift work), ergonomic hazards from lifting loads and prolonged standing, exposure to biological agents and chemical agents, and physical hazards such as slips, trips and falls and ionising radiation.
Health and Social Care Advisory Committee
In 2023, the HSA established the first Health and Social Care Advisory Committee (HSCAC). The Committee is comprised of representatives from a wide range of health and social care settings and includes a diverse array of experience and knowledge of the sector. The role of the HSCAC is to advise and support the HSA in promoting occupational health and safety in this sector through the actions identified in the Action Plan. The HSCAC represents a collaborative effort between employers, employees, government representatives and health and safety experts.
Health and Social Care Advisory Committee Action Plan 2025-2027
In 2025, the first Health and Social Care Advisory Committee Action Plan 2025-2027 was published. This action plan will support the sector in reducing the risk of work-related injury and illness and promoting a positive health and safety culture.
Each goal in the Action Plan lists the actions to achieve the objectives of the plan. In 2025 the Advisory Committee focused on the actions set out in Goal 1 and Goal 3. The Advisory Committee will continue to work on the actions outlined in the Action Plan in 2026 and 2027.
The work of the HSCAC will support the ongoing work of the HSA in driving positive change across this sector.
To download a copy of the Health and Social Care Advisory Committee Action Plan 2025-2027 visit:
W: www.hsa.ie
