Safety and Health Group
Supporting safety and health professionals with CPD, networking, and Irish regulatory expertise.
About the Safety and Health Group
This group is for safety officers, safety managers, risk assessors, manual handling instructors, safety consultants, and anyone working in occupational health and safety in Ireland.
The sector covers workplace risk assessment, safety management systems, chemical safety, construction safety, manual handling, and regulatory compliance under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the General Application Regulations 2007.
Regulatory and Standards Framework
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 - The primary occupational health and safety legislation in Ireland, establishing employer duties, employee responsibilities, and the statutory basis for HSA enforcement
General Application Regulations 2007 - Detailed regulations covering specific workplace hazards including manual handling, display screen equipment, work at height, noise, and personal protective equipment
Construction Regulations 2013 - Regulations governing safety on construction sites, including the roles of Project Supervisor Design Process (PSDP) and Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS)
Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 - Requirements for managing risks from chemical agents in the workplace, including assessment, prevention, and control measures
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 2016 - Requirements for reporting workplace accidents, dangerous occurrences, and occupational diseases to the HSA
The Safety and Health Group supports members in understanding and applying these requirements in their professional practice, ensuring that their work meets the standards expected by employers, regulators, and the public.
Key Focus Areas
The Safety and Health Group organises its activities around six core focus areas that reflect the breadth of professional practice in this discipline.
Risk Assessment and Management
Conducting workplace risk assessments, identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing proportionate control measures in accordance with the hierarchy of controls established by the 2005 Act.
Safety Management Systems
Developing, implementing, and auditing safety management systems that ensure organisations meet their legal obligations and maintain a proactive approach to workplace safety.
Safety Statements and Documentation
Preparing safety statements as required by Section 20 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, including risk assessments, emergency plans, and safe systems of work.
Construction Safety
Managing safety on construction sites under the Construction Regulations 2013, including PSDP and PSCS duties, method statements, and site-specific risk management.
Training and Competence
Designing and delivering workplace safety training programmes, including manual handling, working at height, confined spaces, and safety representative training.
Incident Investigation and Compliance
Investigating workplace accidents and near-miss incidents, identifying root causes, implementing corrective actions, and managing HSA reporting obligations under the 2016 Regulations.
Sector Committee and Governance
The Safety and Health Group is led by a dedicated sector committee comprising experienced professionals drawn from across the discipline. Committee members represent consulting, in-house, regulatory, and academic perspectives, ensuring that the group's activities reflect the full breadth of professional practice.
The committee meets regularly to discuss emerging issues, plan CPD events, coordinate responses to government consultations, and set the strategic direction of the group. Committee meetings provide a forum for members to raise concerns, share intelligence on regulatory developments, and identify priority topics for professional development activities.
All group members are welcome to participate in committee activities. Active committee participation is recognised as a valuable form of CPD and develops leadership skills, professional networks, and a deeper understanding of the strategic context of your discipline. If you are interested in joining the committee, contact the group chair or the Institute at [email protected].
Professional Development and Career Progression
Members of the Safety and Health Group can pursue specialist professional recognition through two discipline-specific grades: Practitioner in Safety and Health (PSH.IIESMS) for professionals with an NFQ Level 7 qualification and 2 years of safety and health experience, and Certified Practitioner in Safety and Health (CPSH.IIESMS) for those with an NFQ Level 8 qualification and 4 years of experience.
These certified grades provide formal recognition of specialist competence in occupational health and safety. For safety consultants, in-house safety managers, and professionals advising organisations on compliance with the 2005 Act and associated regulations, the certified designation demonstrates verified expertise that is valued by employers, clients, and regulatory bodies.
CPD Activities
The Safety and Health Group organises a programme of CPD activities throughout the year, addressing topics that are directly relevant to members' professional practice:
- Technical seminars on current standards, legislation, and best practice
- Site visits and practical demonstrations relevant to the discipline
- Networking events connecting members with peers across Ireland
- Webinars on emerging topics, research findings, and regulatory updates
- Conference presentations and panel discussions
- Mentoring and knowledge-sharing with early-career members
Members can also count external CPD activities including attendance at HSA seminars, NISO events, academic study, and self-directed learning on regulatory developments towards their IIESMS CPD requirements.
How to Get Involved
Join the Safety and Health Group in four steps.
Join IIESMS
Apply for membership at the grade matching your qualifications and experience. Visit the memberships page to find the right grade for you.
Select Your Sector
Indicate your interest in the Safety and Health Group during the application process or contact the Institute to be added to this sector group.
Attend Events
Participate in sector-specific events, webinars, and networking sessions organised by the Safety and Health Group throughout the year.
Contribute
Join the committee, present at events, mentor early-career members, or contribute to policy submissions. Your expertise helps advance professional standards across Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the IIESMS Safety and Health Group
Any IIESMS member with a professional interest or role in workplace safety and health can join. This includes safety officers, safety managers, risk assessors, safety consultants, ergonomists, and occupational health professionals. You must hold IIESMS membership at any grade.
The group focuses primarily on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and its associated regulations, including the General Application Regulations 2007 and Construction Regulations 2013. EU safety directives and their transposition into Irish law are also covered.
IIESMS offers Practitioner in Safety and Health (PSH.IIESMS) requiring NFQ Level 7 and 2 years of experience, and Certified Practitioner in Safety and Health (CPSH.IIESMS) requiring NFQ Level 8 and 4 years of experience. Both are EUR 295 per year.
IIESMS is an independent professional body. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the state regulatory body for workplace safety. IIESMS supports its members in understanding and complying with HSA requirements and contributes to HSA consultations through its policy engagement activities.
Yes. CPD activities from recognised external providers, including HSA seminars, NISO events, and accredited training courses, count towards your IIESMS CPD requirement provided they are relevant to your professional practice.
Yes. Construction safety under the Construction Regulations 2013, including PSDP and PSCS roles, is a significant area of practice for many Safety and Health Group members and is covered in the group's CPD programme.
Join the sector committee, present at group events, mentor early-career safety professionals, or contribute to IIESMS submissions on safety legislation. Contact the Institute to get involved.
If you have responsibilities for workplace safety within an HR role, the Safety and Health Group provides relevant CPD and professional networking. The group welcomes professionals from any background who have a substantive role in workplace safety management.
Explore Other Sector Groups
IIESMS members can engage with multiple sector groups. Discover related disciplines and expand your professional network.
Fire Safety Group
Fire risk assessment, fire detection and alarm systems, passive fire protection, emergency response planning, and fire safety management.
Healthcare Group
Non-clinical safety in healthcare environments including fire safety, facilities management, and safety in hospitals and nursing homes.
Industrial Engineering Group
Lean manufacturing, process improvement, operations management, supply chain optimisation, quality, and operational excellence.
Facilities Management Group
Building services, maintenance engineering, energy management, space planning, asset management, and facility operations.
Get involved
Join IIESMS and select the Safety and Health Group. Two specialist grades available: PSH.IIESMS and CPSH.IIESMS.