Introduction 
In this section you will find information and guidance developed by the Health & Safety Authority which may be applicable for your business. We have included the most relevant documentation that will help you expand your knowledge in these areas. Further information and guidance is also available to download at our publications section on the Health & Safety Authority webpage.
NOTE: Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Deer, Tillage or Mixed farming business types are not included in BeSMART.ie. If you have one of these farms you should visit the Health & Safety Authority Agriculture webpage or go to the farm safely online tool at www.farmsafely.com to prepare your risk assessments as part of the HSA Agricultural Code of Practice for 3 or less employees.
Safety Alerts
Use of a Chain Flail and attachments on Brushcutters Working on Fragile Roofs Explosion Risk Split Rim Wheels Hazards of Electrical Powered Gates Confined Spaces Nitro Motors Eco Cobra Quad Large Tyre Inflation Alert Equestrian Helmets Storage of Gas Cylinders for use in Non-Domestic Installations (Non-Bulk) Electric Cable Reel Use of Generators During Power Outages Clearing Blockages on Agricultural Machinery Tipping Trailer Safety Alert Small Tipper Trucks Alert Grain Silo Safety Alert Air Compressor Safety Alert
PublicationsSee also 'Top Tips & Videos' for more information on Electricity, Fire, Manual Handling, Slips/Trips/Falls, Chemicals, Working at Height, Workplace Transport, Display Screen Equipment and Maintenance
Working Safely With Bales on the Farm Information Sheet (PDF, 514KB) Code of Practice on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work (PDF, 1009KB) Guidance on the Protection of Children and Young Persons (PDF, 488KB) Code of Practice on Preventing Accidents to Children and Young Persons in Agriculture (PDF, 1.26MB) Child Safety On the Farm Information Sheet (PDF, 124KB) Guidance on the Protection of Pregnant, Post Natal and Breastfeeding Employees (PDF, 473KB)
Practical advice on managing Chemicals (PDF, 538KB) Your Steps to Chemical Safety (PDF, 1973 KB) Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Hazardous Chemicals Information Sheet (PDF, 252KB) Chemical Distributors Duties REACH and CLP Information Sheet (PDF, 296KB) Storage of Hazardous Chemicals in Warehouses and Drum Stores (PDF, 238KB) A Guide to Non-Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment PPE for use with Chemical Agents in the Workplace (PDF, 1.21MB) Use Chemicals Safely on the Farm (PDF 2268KB) Code of Practice for Working in Confined Spaces (PDF, 1.6MB) Practical advice on managing Display Screen Equipment (PDF, 525KB)
Guidelines for Working Safe Near Overhead Lines in Agriculture (PDF 2,200KB) Practical advice on managing Electricity (PDF, 752KB)
Guidance Note on Periodic Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations (PDF 1179KB) Ergonomics - Good Practice in the Irish Workplace (PDF, 2351KB) Practical advice on managing Fire Safety (PDF, 730KB) Fire Safety Check Sheet (PDF, 239KB) Guidelines on Occupational Asthma (PDF, 313KB) Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Guidance (PDF, 5.79MB) Safe Working with Diesel Engine Exhaust (PDF, 300KB) The Essential Health & Safety Guide for Horticulture in English (PDF, 809KB), Latvian(PDF, 3413KB), Lithuanian (PDF, 3188KB), Polish (PDF, 3418KB) and Russian (PDF, 3711KB) Practical advice on managing Maintenance (PDF, 499KB) Practical advice on managing Manual Handling (PDF, 664KB) Ergonomics - Good Practice in the Irish Workplace (PDF, 2351KB) Link to Manual Handling Case Study Videos 1-9 and Case Study videos 10-17 on HSA website Guidance on the Purchase of New Machinery Information Sheet (181KB) Guidelines on the Safety of Powered Gates (PDF 1.2MB) Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in Workplaces - Practical Guidelines on ACM Management and Abatement (2400KB) Guidance on Night and Shift Work (PDF, 2056KB) Practical advice on managing Slips, Trips and Falls (PDF, 538KB) Free short online course on planning and preparing for slurry spreading (hsalearning.ie) Farm Safe DVD Video - Slurry (4 Minute 15 Second video) Agitation Warning Sign (PDF 195.5KB) Health and Safety for Swine Workers Information Sheet (PDF, 353KB) Safe Working with Timber and Chainsaws (PDF, 599KB) Chainsaw Safety Training Advice Information Sheet (PDF 560KB) Practical advice on managing Workplace Transport (PDF, 886KB) Essential Tractor Safety Checks Sheet (PDF, 292KB) Load Security Information Sheet (PDF, 319KB) Safe Driving for Work (PDF, 13.7MB) Driving for Work Employer's Guidelines CD rom/Videos Pedestrian Safety in the workplace Information Sheet (PDF,531KB) Workplace Transport Safety Reversing Vehicles (PDF, 60KB) Delivering Safely Information Sheet (PDF, 377KB) Car Daily Checks Information Sheet (PDF, 830.7 KB) Vehicle Safety Check Car Poster (PDF, 175 KB) Vehicle Safety Check Van Poster (PDF, 2232 KB) Safe Driving for Work Drivers Handbook (PDF, 2MB) Safe Use of All Terrain Vehicles in Agriculture and Forestry Information Sheet (PDF, 79KB) Guidance on the Safe Use of Tractors and Farm Machinery on Farms (PFD, 4821KB). Appendix 10 has summary information on revised standards for agricultural vehicles on the road Safe Load Securing of Plant and Machinery (PDF 1.3MB) New Apr 16 Health & Safety of Vets Visiting Farms (PDF, 788KB) Practical advice on managing Work at Height (PDF, 740KB) Working at Height in Agriculture (PDF, 529KB)
Forms and Templates
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Template Form (RTF 284KB) Training Register (RTF 81KB) Risk Assessment Template (RTF 143KB) Induction Form (RTF 97KB) Personal Protective Equipment Register (RTF 81KB Method Statement Template (RTF 1778 KB)Note: Downloading in Rich Text Format (RTF) means you can edit the document
Accident and Dangerous Occurrence Reporting Form IR3 - Form of Notification of a Dangerous Occurence (PDF 98KB) Internal Accident / Incident Investigation Form (RTF 320KB) Guidance on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences) Regulations 2016 (PDF 1.2MB)
Use the elearning tab at the top of the page or visit Health and Safety Authority Courses for Small Businesses to access free, short courses for employers, employees and those starting their own business.
These courses will give you a quick, free and invaluable guide to getting health and safety right from the outset. All you have to do is register, take the course whenever you wish and then download your certificate of completion when finished. You can also register a group of employees to take a course.
