Introduction

In a major cross-border initiative, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched an intensive campaign targeting falls from height. Timed for the autumn, the campaign focuses on the construction and farming sectors, where falls remain a leading cause of death and serious, life-altering injuries.

The Three Pillars of Fall Prevention:

1. Plan and Risk Assess Every Job: Before any work begins, a proper risk assessment must be carried out. This means going to the site, evaluating the specific task, and identifying all potential fall risks.
2. Select the Right Equipment: A “one-size-fits-all” approach is a recipe for disaster. The choice of equipment must be appropriate for the task. This means prioritising collective protective measures like scaffolding or Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs) over individual measures like ladders, which may be unsuitable.
3. Ensure Equipment is Safe to Use: All equipment used for working at height must be in good working order and subject to regular inspections. Employees must be trained on how to conduct a pre-use check of their equipment.

A Reminder of Your Legal Duties Under Irish Law

This campaign directly reinforces an employer’s duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Furthermore, it aligns with the recently strengthened Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into force on November 1st of last year.

These regulations legally mandate a strict ‘hierarchy of control’ that every employer must follow:

• AVOID: The first duty is to avoid work at height completely if it is reasonably practicable.
• PREVENT: If it cannot be avoided, you must use equipment that prevents a fall.
• MINIMISE: Only as a last resort should you use equipment that only minimises the consequences of a fall (e.g., a harness).

Failure to adhere to this hierarchy is a breach of Irish safety law.

Authoritative Link: The HSA provides detailed guidance on the legal requirements on its main page for Work at Height.

The Critical Role of Competence and Training

A key theme of the campaign is ensuring that people are competent to do the job safely. A plan and the right equipment are useless if the person carrying out the work does not have the necessary knowledge and skill.

Providing professional, documented training is not just best practice; it is a critical component of proving your compliance and ensuring your employees understand the risks and the procedures they must follow to stay safe. It is the most effective way to turn policy into safe practice on the ground.

Ensure Your Team is Trained and Compliant

This all-island safety campaign is a clear indicator that regulatory focus on work at height is at an all-time high. Now is the time to review your procedures and, most importantly, to invest in the competence of your team.

A documented training qualification is the best way to ensure your employees have the skills to work safely at height and that your business can prove its commitment to safety.

Acornstar provides a comprehensive Working from Heights course designed to equip your employees with the practical knowledge they need to stay safe and for your business to remain compliant.