A Sobering Wake-Up Call for Irish Employers
The Health and Safety Authority’s 2025 annual report contained a statistic that should shock every Irish employer: 58 people died in work-related incidents in Ireland during 2025 — a 61% increase on the 36 fatalities recorded in 2024. Behind every number is a person, a family, a community. Workplace safety is not an administrative burden. It is a moral obligation — and in 2026, it carries an increasingly complex legal framework that Irish employers must navigate carefully.
What’s Changing in 2026
- NIS2 Directive implementation — approximately 3,000 Irish organisations fall within scope, with Ireland’s transposing legislation expected H1 2026.
- EU AI Act — the Irish HSA has been designated as a competent authority for enforcing the EU AI Act, affecting AI tools used in safety contexts.
- Psychosocial risk as a legal obligation — mental health, workplace anxiety, and psychosocial stressors are now recognised risk factors employers must legally assess and mitigate.
- EU Product Liability Directive — taking effect in December 2026, expanding liability to software products including health and safety management applications.
Mental Health: The Fastest-Growing Safety Concern
IBEC’s 2026 Workplace Mental Health Trends report highlights a clear shift: mental health is moving from HR initiative to safety imperative. Workplace anxiety, dignity violations, and interpersonal conflict are now recognised risk factors that employers are legally obligated to assess and mitigate. This means updating risk assessments, revising grievance procedures, and training managers to recognise and respond to mental health concerns in the workplace.
Meet Your Legal Obligations with IACT Health & Safety Training
- Health and Safety in the Workplace — the essential legal framework every employer and employee needs
- Manual Handling — the most commonly required workplace safety certification
- Fire Safety — fire prevention, evacuation procedures, and extinguisher use
- Emergency First Aid — equip your team to respond in a crisis
- Ergonomics — prevent musculoskeletal injuries in office and hybrid settings
- Dignity at Work — create a respectful, psychologically safe workplace
- Workplace Violence Prevention — recognise warning signs and respond effectively
Every worker deserves to go home safely. Ensure your organisation meets its legal and moral obligations with IACT’s accredited health and safety training.