The Health and Safety Authority has published a strategy document which sets out its key goals for tackling current and emerging challenges in workplaces across the country.
The HSA is the national body with responsibility for protecting all workers nationwide from work-related incidents, injuries and ill health.
The document highlights challenges businesses will face over the next three years, including the introduction of remote and hybrid working and advancements in technology.
In the year ahead, the HSA said it will continue to focus on high-risk sectors and hazards which cause fatalities, incidents, injuries and ill health, such as falling from heights and the hazards of working with machinery.
"Throughout the implementation of our new 'strategy statement' and our annual 'programmes of work', the Authority will be setting out to achieve tangible outcomes in occupational safety and health (OSH), accreditation, chemicals, and market surveillance," said Dr Sharon McGuinness, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Authority.
"The key to a successful and productive economy and workforce is a commitment to safer and healthier working lives for all," she said.
Launching the strategy, Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Damien English said he looks forward to working with the authority.
"This new strategy clearly sets out the HSA's priorities and goals whilst taking into account the ongoing challenges that workers and organisations, including the authority, will face over the next three years", he said.
"The Government recognises the importance of the wide and varied role of the HSA and I look forward to working with the Authority to support and enable it to meet its vision of healthy, safe and productive lives and enterprises over the course of this strategy," he added.
Through the increased funding provided by Government, the HSA said it is establishing a new division to put further emphasis on occupational health hazards and risks, including those associated with psychosocial and ergonomic risks, and exposure to chemical and biological agents.
