Work of the Health and Safety Policy Section

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The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is responsible for the administration, enforcement and promotion of all workplace health and safety legislation. The HSA deals directly with members of the public on matters concerning complaints or queries about workplace health and safety, inspections, enforcement action, provision of information and advisory literature etc.

The principal interface which the Health and Safety Policy Section has with the public is, generally, by way of enquiries seeking information about occupational health and safety issues such as applicable legislation and regulations. Where such enquiries are straightforward i.e. where they can be dealt with by way of referring the caller to the relevant legislative / statutory instrument, the Section will deal with the matter. For anything more substantial such as reports/complaints/requests for action or technical advice and guidance, the enquirer would be routinely referred to the HSA.

Requests for more detailed information would likewise be referred to the HSA which publishes (and sells) Guidelines on the operation of various legislative measures as well as booklets, brochures, leaflets and other material on specific and sectoral aspects of occupational health and safety.

Copies of the relevant Act(s) and Statutory Instruments which underpin the workplace health and safety code are obtainable directly from the Government Publications Sales Office at Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. Telephone: 679 3515

In general, the policy and liaison role of the Section involves the Section in interaction with the HSA itself, with the Minister and with other Government Departments and Agencies, and with the European Commission and International Bodies, rather than with the Public.