Irish Businesses Urged to Prioritise Health and Safety in 2025 Budgeting

With 2025 in full swing, Irish businesses are being reminded of the crucial need to prioritise health and safety (H&S) in their budgeting and planning. A comprehensive H&S budget isn’t just about compliance; it’s about creating a safe and healthy work environment, which ultimately contributes to a more productive and successful business. Prioritising H&S is not just a legal obligation; it’s a smart business decision. Investing in a strong safety culture can reduce absenteeism, improve employee morale, and avoid costly legal repercussions.

The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) emphasises the importance of proactive H&S management. As stated in their 2023 Annual Report, “The HSA’s work focuses on preventing workplace injuries and ill-health, and promoting a culture of safety and health in Ireland.” This highlights the broader societal impact of prioritising H&S.

Businesses should ask themselves key questions when developing their H&S budget. Are they simply aiming for regulatory compliance, or are they striving for a best-in-class safety management system, perhaps targeting international standards like ISO? Understanding the organisation’s current H&S performance and identifying potential risks are essential first steps. Independent assessments can be invaluable in this process.

A well-structured H&S budget should allocate resources across several key areas:

• Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification: Regular risk assessments are fundamental. Budget should cover identifying hazards, implementing control measures, and prioritising resources for the highest risks.
• Training and Development: Investing in employee training on H&S procedures, emergency response, and equipment usage is critical. This includes areas like First Aid, CPR, manual handling, and specialised certifications.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Adequate funding for purchasing and replacing PPE is essential. Employees must have access to compliant PPE and know how to use and maintain it.
• Equipment Maintenance and Inspection: Regular inspection and maintenance of safety equipment, from fire extinguishers to lifting equipment, is a legal requirement and a budgetary necessity.
• Workplace Safety Improvements: Budget should be allocated for physical improvements to the workplace, such as ergonomic upgrades, fall protection, and general maintenance.
• Emergency Preparedness: Funds must be set aside for emergency supplies, evacuation drills, and ensuring employees are familiar with emergency procedures.
• Health and Wellness Programs: Investing in employee wellbeing through programs addressing mental and physical health can significantly reduce workplace stress and promote a safer environment.
• Compliance and Legal Requirements: Budget should cover software or external support to stay up-to-date with evolving H&S regulations.
• Accident Investigation and Reporting: Thorough investigation of accidents and near misses, along with implementing preventative actions, is essential and requires dedicated resources.
• Insurance and Liability: Adequate liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage are crucial and must be factored into the budget.
• Safety Equipment and Technology: Investing in technology like safety software, reporting systems, and monitoring tools can significantly improve safety management and inform future budgeting decisions by identifying trends and high-risk areas.

By addressing these key areas, Irish businesses can create a robust H&S budget that not only ensures compliance but also fosters a culture of safety and wellbeing, protecting their most valuable asset – their employees. This proactive approach will contribute to a healthier workforce, a more productive business, and a stronger safety record, aligning with the HSA’s mission to create safer workplaces across Ireland.