Updated to 1 June 2025 (Act No. 4 of 2025 and S.I. No. 241 of 2025)
All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.
Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
No. 10 of 2005
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement Date | Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ss. 1-3 | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| S. 4(1) | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| S. 4(2) | See Sch. 2 Part 1 | |
| S. 4(3)-(4) | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| Ss. 5-89 | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| Sch. 1 | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Boiler Explosions Act 1882 and Boiler Explosions Act 1890 | 1 January 2013 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 446 of 2012), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals the Mines and Quarries Act, 1965 (7/1965) in so far as that Act relates to quarries and revokes all orders, regulations and rules made under that Act in so far as they relate to quarries | 1 May 2008 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Quarries) (Repeals and Revocations) (Commencement) Order 2008 (S.I. No. 29 of 2008), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 in so far as it repeals any provision of the Mines and Quarries Act 1965 (7/1965) not already repealed and revokes any instrument made under that Act not already revoked | 30 April 2018 | Safety, Health and welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 134 of 2018), art. 2(a) |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Dangerous Substances Act 1972 (10/1972) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Dangerous Substances Act 1979 (21/1979) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Factories Act 1955 (10/1955), ss. 33, 34, 35, 115, 116 | 1 November 2007 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Repeals) (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 300 of 2007), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Factories Act 1955 (10/1955), ss. 40-43 | 1 January 2013 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 446 of 2012), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Factories Act 1955 (10/1955), s. 86 | 1 January 2016 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Repeals) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 519 of 2015), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Factories Act 1955 (10/1955), other sections | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Safety in Industry Act 1980 (9/1980), s. 24 | 1 January 2016 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Repeals) (Commencement) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 519 of 2015), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Safety in Industry Act 1980 (9/1980), ss. 28, 29 | 1 November 2007 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Repeals) (Commencement) Order 2007 (S.I. No. 300 of 2007), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Safety in Industry Act 1980 (9/1980), other sections | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act 1987 (18/1987) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar is it repeals Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1995 (35/1995) insofar as it amends the Safety, Health and Welfare (Offshore Installations) Act 1987 (18/1987) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1 | |
| Sch. 2 Part 1 insofar as it repeals Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989 (7/1989) | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| Sch. 2 Part 2 | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
| Schs. 3-7 | 1 September 2005 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Commencement) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 328 of 2005), art. 2 |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision |
|---|---|
| Restricted | S.I. No. 477 of 2011, regs. 1(3), 42(22), schedule 2 (col. cit.) |
| Trans. of cert. functns. under | S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3, schedule 1 |
| S. 2 applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 2(2) |
| S. 2(1) amended | 7/2018, ss. 1(3), 200 |
| 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 28 | |
| S. 2(1) constr. refs. "General Register of Medical Practitioners" | 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(2) |
| S. 2(2) applied | S.I. No. 386 of 2006, reg. 16(2) |
| S. 2(3)(b) substituted | 11/2013, ss. 1(2), 72(1), schedule 6, item 48 |
| S. 3 application extended | S.I. No. 631 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 14(3) |
| S.I. No. 630 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 19(3) | |
| S. 6(2) application restricted | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 148(2) |
| S. 8 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 7, 11 |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 129(1)(a) | |
| S. 9 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 7, 11 |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 129(1)(a) | |
| S. 10 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 7, 11 |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 129(1)(a) | |
| S. 13 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 7, 11 |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 129(1)(a) | |
| S. 13 saver | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 159(4), |
| S. 13(1)(c) constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" | 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1) |
| S. 14 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 7, 11 |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 129(1)(a) | |
| S. 14 saver | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 159(4) |
| S. 16 applied | S.I. No. 370 of 2006, regs. 1, 5(4)(e), 9 |
| S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 5(5)(f), 6(2)(b), 11 | |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 124(e)(vi), 125(b)(ii), 136(d)(v) | |
| S. 17(1) application restricted | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 6(6) |
| S. 18 applied | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 144(d) |
| S. 18(5) amended | Chemicals (Amendment) Act 2010, (No. 32 of 2010), ss. 12(a), 13(4) |
| S. 19 applied | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs.1(2), 95(1)(b)(ii), 155 |
| S. 19(3)(a) applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 5(8), 11 |
| S. 19(3)(b) applied | S.I. No. 370 of 2006, regs. 1, 5(6), 9 |
| S. 20 applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 24(c) |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs.1(2), 95(1)(b)(ii), 124(g), 136(e) | |
| S. 21 applied | S.I. No. 386 of 2006, reg. 17(1) |
| S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 17(1)(d) | |
| S. 22 application extended | S.I. No. 133 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 129 |
| S. 22 applied | S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs.1(2), 141(3)(a), 146(a) |
| S. 23 constr. refs. "registered medical practitioner" | 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1) |
| S. 25 applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), schedule 5, para. 2 |
| S. 26 application extended | S.I. No. 133 of 2018, regs. 1(2), 21 |
| S. 26 applied | S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 8(3), 11 |
| S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2),28 | |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 130(c) | |
| S. 28 substituted | 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1 |
| S. 29 substituted | 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 52(1), 52(3), schedule 7, pt. 1 |
| S. 29(7) references construed | 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 66(2), 66(3) |
| S. 29(8) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(b), 13(4) |
| S. 30 repealed | 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1 |
| S. 31 repealed | 16/2015, ss. 1(2), 8(1), 8(2), 8(7), schedule 2, pt. 1 |
| S. 33 applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(c)(ii) |
| S. 33A inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 29 |
| S. 34(1)(dd) paragraph inserted | 13/2008, ss. 1(2), 37(a) |
| S. 34(1)(de) paragraph inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 30(a)(i) |
| S. 34(1)(k) substit. | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 30(a)(ii) |
| S. 34(2) applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 23(2)(c)(iii) |
| S. 34(2A) inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 30(b) |
| S. 46 trans. of cert. functns. under. | 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6, 9, 20, schedule 2 pt. 1 |
| S. 47(1)(a) substituted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 33(a) |
| S. 47(1)(e) inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 33(b) |
| S. 54A inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 31 |
| Pt. 5, chp 3 (ss. 56A-56I) inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 32 |
| S. 58(2) deleted | 32/2010, ss. 12(c), 13(4) |
| S. 58(4)(d) applied | S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 6(6) |
| S. 63 applied | S.I. No. 386 of 2006, reg. 25(3) |
| S. 63 application extended | S.I. No. 386 of 2006, regs. 22(2), 22(3), 24(2) |
| S. 63(1) references to "registered medical practitioner" construed | 25/2007, ss. 1(3), 108(1) |
| Ss. 64-68 application extended | S.I. No. 631 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 14(1) |
| S.I. No. 630 of 2019, regs. 1(3), 19(1) | |
| Ss. 64-66 application extended with references construed | S.I. No. 128 of 2019, reg. 6 |
| S. 64 applied | S.I. No. 28 of 2008, regs. 1, 18(3)(b) |
| S.I. No. 504 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 23(7)(c) | |
| S. 65(1) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(i), 13(4) |
| S. 65(2)(b) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(ii), 13(4) |
| S. 65(2)(c) deleted | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(iii), 13(4) |
| S. 65(4) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(iv), 13(4) |
| S. 65(5) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(v), 13(4) |
| S. 65(6) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(v), 13(4) |
| S. 65(7) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(v), 13(4) |
| S. 65(8) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(d)(v), 13(4) |
| S. 66(1)(b) substituted | 32/2010, ss. 12(e)(i), 13(4) |
| S. 66(1)(c) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(e)(ii), 13(4) |
| S. 66(1)(d) inserted | 32/2010, ss. 12(e)(ii), 13(4) |
| S. 66(2)(d) deleted | 32/2010, ss. 12(e)(iii), 13(4) |
| Ss. 73(1)(c), 73(1)(d) amended | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 34(a), 34(b) |
| Ss. 73(1)(e), 73(1)(f) inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 34(c) |
| S. 77(2)(c) substituted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 35 |
| S. 78(1) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(f)(i), 13(4) |
| S. 78(2)(i)(I) substituted | 32/2010, ss. 12(f)(ii), 13(4) |
| S. 78(2)(i)(II) substituted | 32/2010, ss. 12(f)(iii), 13(4) |
| S. 78(4) amended | 32/2010, ss. 12(f)(iv), 13(4) |
| Sch. 2, pt. 2 amended | S.I. No. 74 of 2006, reg. 2(a), 2(b)(i), 2(b)(ii) |
| Sch. 3 applied | S.I. No. 370 of 2006, regs. 1, 6, 9 |
| S.I. No. 371 of 2006, regs. 1(2), 6, 11 | |
| S.I. No. 299 of 2007, regs. 1(2), 98, 125(a), 137(a) | |
| Sch. 6, para. 5 amended | 13/2008, ss. 1(2), 37(b) |
| Sch. 6A inserted | 13/2014, ss. 1(4), 36 |
SIs made under the Act
| Section | SIs made under the Act |
|---|---|
| S. 35 | Safety, Health and Welfare At Work Act 2005 (Agreement To Recognise) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 181 of 2019) |
| S. 58 | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations 2024 (S.I. No. 122 of 2024) |
| Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 255 of 2023) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 619 of 2021) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 610 of 2021) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 528 of 2021) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 231 of 2021) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 539 of 2020) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 102 of 2020) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 2 of 2020) | |
| Dangerous Substances (Flammable Liquids and Fuels Distribution and Commercial Supply Stores) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 631 of 2019) | |
| Dangerous Substances (Flammable Liquids and Fuels Retail Stores) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 630 of 2019) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 592 of 2019) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare At Work (Diving) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 180 of 2019) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 179 of 2019) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 129 of 2019) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Diving) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 254 of 2018) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Mines) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 133 of 2018) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 370 of 2016) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Electromagnetic Fields) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 337 of 2016) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 70 of 2016) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 36 of 2016) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 623 of 2015) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 622 of 2015) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Docks) (Revocation) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 521 of 2015) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Biological Agents) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 572 of 2013) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 291 of 2013) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 182 of 2013) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 9 of 2013) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 481 of 2012) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 461 of 2012) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 445 of 2012) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 589 of 2010) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 523 of 2010) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 176 of 2010) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 423 of 2008) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 130 of 2008) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 28 of 2008) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 732 of 2007) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 504 of 2006) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 371 of 2006) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 370 of 2006) | |
| Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Work at Height) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 318 of 2006) | |
| S. 66(7) | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Appeals Forms) Rules 2005 (S.I. No. 548 of 2005) |
| S. 67(7) | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Appeals Forms) Rules 2005 (S.I. No. 548 of 2005) |
| S. 72(3) | Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (Appeals Forms) Rules 2005 (S.I. No. 548 of 2005) |