Health and Safety Authority

Health and Safety Authority
State Agency of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment overview
Formed	1989
Jurisdiction	Ireland
Headquarters	The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce Street, Dublin 1, D01 K0Y8
State Agency of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment executives	Sharon McGuinness, Chief Executive; Tom Coughlan, Chairman;
Key document	Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989;
Website	HSA website

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the national body in Ireland with responsibility for occupational health and safety. Its role is to secure health and safety at work. It is an Irish state-sponsored body, established under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, and reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Authority consults widely with employers, employees, and their respective organizations. To help develop sound policies and good workplace practices, the Authority works with various Advisory Committees and Task Forces etc. which focus on specific occupations and hazards.

The HSA has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland. The HSA monitors compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action (up to and including prosecutions).

The HSA is the national centre for Information and advice to employers, employees and self-employed on all aspects of workplace health and safety. The Authority also promotes education, training, and research in the field.

Occupational safety and health policy at national level is determined by a twelve-member, tripartite Board, with nominees from the social partners and other interests concerned with safety and health in the workplace. The appointment of the Board of the Authority is a function of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989.