Thanks to the low corporate tax rate, highly skilled workforce, and easy access to other European markets that it offers, Ireland has become a popular destination choice for many global businesses looking to expand into new territories1. However, while it can be easy to focus on the benefits, Ireland has key legal and cultural differences that, if not considered, could put the success of your expansion at risk.
In this article in our Expanding to Ireland series, our Director of Health and Safety in Ireland, Paul Cummins, simplifies the complex world of local health and safety law, and outlines how to best ensure you’re appropriately and effectively safeguarding your Irish workforce from injuries and illnesses.
Key takeaways
- Learn about the primary piece of health and safety legislation governing businesses in Ireland
- Discover your core health and safety responsibilities as an employer in Ireland
- Understand how to support the mental health of your employees in Ireland, as well as their physical health
Health and safety law can be challenging to navigate
No matter whether your people in Ireland will be working in an office or a factory, health and safety commitments are a vital element of your business operation. Thankfully, from a risk management perspective, workplace hazards in your industry tend to look similar around the world. However, the confusion and challenges can lie in the legal landscape surrounding health and safety, which can be complex to navigate, costly to get wrong, and different from country to country.
The Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005
The primary piece of legislation protecting workplace health and safety in Ireland is the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (also referred to as SHWW 2005). It applies to all business in Ireland with five or more employees and sets out the duties you have towards your employees and the public, as well as the duties your employees have to each other.
While some industries and workplaces can naturally carry a higher level of risk, all employers in Ireland have the same nine core requirements, as set out in SHWW 2005, which state that they must:
- Identify hazards and maintain a safe working environment
- Carry out a documented risk assessment
- Prepare a written safety statement
- Maintain a safe workplace, machinery and equipment
- Report and record workplace injuries and accidents
- Provide appropriate information, training, and supervision
- Select a safety representative and engage on safety related matters with employees
- Prepare and update emergency procedures
- Provide adequate welfare facilities2
Mental health
Health and safety is commonly thought of as the supplying of hard hats and high-visibility clothing, or the displaying of warning signage, while the ‘health’ aspect can at times be forgotten about. Mental health is one of the very few health hazards that can affect all workplaces and employees, regardless of industry, and while it isn’t legally enforced, we believe that offering mental health support falls just as much within your responsibility as supplying safety equipment and training.
Our top tips for providing mental health support for your people in Ireland, are:
Put people through mental health first aid training: for those of your people that volunteer, you can equip them with the knowledge to recognise signs of poor mental health in colleagues and support as necessary
Encourage open conversations between your people: do what you can to break the mental health taboo at your place of work, which can increase the likelihood that your people share their problems and seek help
Supply mental health support resources: ensure your people are aware of the mental health support resources available to them, and understand how to access and utilise them
Frequently conduct and document mental health risk assessments: carrying out periodical assessments could help give you a picture of the mental wellbeing of your employees in Ireland and help normalise the mental health conversation
Expanding into Ireland: a guide for US-headquartered companies
On the surface it may appear that the US and Ireland may have many similarities, however, if you assume that your business operations in both countries will look the same, your success may be less likely. That’s why our specialists in Ireland wrote this guide to act as your insight into employee compliance, common practices and operating in the Irish market.
By exploring the fundamental areas of employee benefits, HR and people, health and safety, and insurance, this guide will:
- Help you understand and navigate the main Irish employment laws
- Outline how your Irish and US operations will need to differ for your employees
- Show you how to compete and be a leader in your sector in Ireland
Author
Dr. Paul Cummins, CEO of SeaChange (an NFP company)
With 10 years at the helm of Seachange (an NFP company), Paul has lead the delivery of practical, engaging, sustainable health and safety solutions to thousands of businesses across Ireland, Northern Ireland and beyond. He is passionate about helping your organisation transform safety habits and empower its people.