Health & Safety

Home / Advice / Health & Safety

ISME is often asked about Health & Safety in the workplace; what does it mean, how do employers ensure they are covered by the legislation, and what does it involve. There is one major piece of legislation (The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005) that covers all aspects of this subject as well several other pieces of legislation dealing with other aspects of Health and Safety.

ISME has compiled a complete guide (available for members to download) to safety, health and welfare in the workplace. ISME’s Health & Safety Handbook is designed for use by owner/managers and provides all the necessary information on health & safety matters in the workplace; including important definitions, the legal framework, a sample safety statementand the full range of related policies. The handbook contains guidelines on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, as well as details on other legislative provisions. The whole handbook can be accessed in its entirety or by individual section through the ISME Members Area.


I am required to carry out a Risk Assessment-what is this?

All employers are required to identify potential hazards within the workplace, and keep a written assessment of the risks associated with each hazard.  This written assessment is known as a risk assessment. An example of a Risk Assessment Document is available in the ISME handbook, which is available in the Members’ Area. The results of the Risk assessment should be written into the Safety Statement.

I need a Safety Statement. What is this?

The Safety Statement contains policies specific to your business, as well as reporting procedures and responsibilities of employers and employees. It is the key element of your business’s health & safety policy and is often one of the documents you will be required to submit with a tender application. A suggestion of what needs to be contained in your safety statement is available in the ISME handbook.

What are the responsibilities of my employees?

While as an employer, you have a specific responsibility to produce and implement your business’s health and safety statement, your employees also have specific responsibilities to acknowledge, understand and adhere to it. For this reason there’s a whole section of Responsibilities to employees in the ISME Health & Safety Handbook

Is bullying and harassment part of a health and safety policy?

The short answer is yes. This is because bullying and harassment can have a serious impact on employees, especially from a physical and mental health point of view, and can therefore impact on your business in terms of that individual’s ability to work and be effective in their job. The ISME handbook contains all you need to know about how to identify and deal with bullying and harassment. It also contains details on how to handle a complaint from an employee and a template policy.


Member’s Only:

  • Risk Assessment Safety Guidelines
  • Safety Induction Training
  • Safety Representative
  • Safety Training Record

Other key elements of your safety, health & welfare policy should be:

  • Fire Marshall Duties
  • Fire and Emergency Procedures
  • Forklift Safety
  • Rules for Company Vehicles
  • Working with Ladders
  • Working at Heights

For information about making a claim following an injury in the workplace, contact the Injuries Board here: www.injuriesboard.ie. Alternatively, if you are an employer and need to report an injury in the workplace then contact the Health & Safety Authority. click here for more details: www.hsa.ie.