Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007

S.I. No. 299 of 2007

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (GENERAL APPLICATION) REGULATIONS 2007

REVISED

Updated to 24 May 2023

This Revised Statutory Instrument is an administrative consolidation of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. It is prepared by the Law Reform Commission in accordance with its function under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975 (3/1975) to keep the law under review and to undertake revision and consolidation of statute law.

All Acts up to and including Social Welfare (Child Benefit) Act 2023 (13/2023), enacted 25 May 2023, and all statutory instruments up to and including Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 255 of 2023), made 24 May 2023, were considered in the preparation of this Revised Statutory Instrument.

Disclaimer: While every care has been taken in the preparation of this Revised Act, the Law Reform Commission can assume no responsibility for and give no guarantees, undertakings or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness or up to date nature of the information provided and does not accept any liability whatsoever arising from any errors or omissions. Please notify any errors, omissions and comments by email to

revisedacts@lawreform.ie.

S.I. No. 299 of 2007

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (GENERAL APPLICATION) REGULATIONS 2007

REVISED

Updated to 24 May 2023

Arrangement of Regulations

PART 1

INTERPRETATION AND GENERAL

1	Citation and commencement.
2	Interpretation.
3	Revocations and savings.

PART 2

WORKPLACE AND WORK EQUIPMENT

	Chapter 1 — Workplace
4	Interpretation for Chapter 1.
5	Stability and solidity.
6	Ventilation of enclosed places of work.
7	Room temperature.
8	Natural and artificial lighting.
9	Floors, walls, ceilings and roofs of rooms.
10	Windows and skylights.
11	Doors and gates.
12	Emergency routes and exits.
13	Fire detection and fire fighting.
14	Movement of pedestrians and vehicles in danger areas.
15	Specific measures for escalators and travelators.
16	Loading bays and ramps.
17	Room dimensions and air space in rooms and freedom of movement at the workstation.
18	General welfare requirements.
19	Rest rooms and rest areas.
20	Sanitary and washing facilities.
21	Changing rooms and lockers.
22	Accommodation areas at a place of work.
23	Outdoor places of work, special provisions.
24	Pregnant, postnatal and breastfeeding employees.
25	Employees with disabilities.
26	Agreements as to a premises used as a place of work.

	Chapter 2 — Use of Work Equipment
27	Interpretation for Chapter 2.
28	Duties of employer, use of work equipment.
29	Information and instruction.
30	Inspection of work equipment.
31	Maintenance.
32	Control devices.
33	Guards and protection devices.
34	Connection to energy sources.
35	Contact with wheels or tracks of mobile work equipment.
36	Drive systems of mobile work equipment.
37	Combustion engines of mobile work equipment.
38	Roll-over of mobile work equipment.
39	Fork-lift trucks.
40	Safety of self-propelled work equipment.
41	Traffic rules for mobile work equipment.
42	Work equipment for lifting loads.
43	Cranes.
44	Support of lifting equipment.
45	Work equipment for lifting goods or persons.
46	Hoists and lifts.
47	Winch-operated hoists and lifts.
48	Conditions regarding lifting of persons.
49	Lifting accessories.
50	Work equipment for lifting non-guided loads.
51	Lifting equipment—signalling and operation.
52	Examination and testing of lifting equipment.
53	Reports by competent persons.
54	Keeping of records and registers of lifting equipment.
55	Safe working loads for excavators, telehandlers and backhoe loaders when used for object handling.
56	Specific requirements for scotch and guy derrick cranes.
57	Construction, testing, examination and safe working load of lifting accessories.
58	Delivery of loads with lifting accessories attached.
59	Duty of persons who hire lifting equipment to others.
60	Duty of the master of a ship in respect of examination of lifting equipment.
61	Duty of the owner of a fishing vessel in respect of examination of lifting equipment.

	Chapter 3 — Personal Protective Equipment
62	Provision of personal protective equipment.
63	Assessment of personal protective equipment.
64	Conditions of use and compatibility.
65	Personal use.
66	Maintenance and replacement.
67	Information, training and instruction.

	Chapter 4 — Manual Handling of Loads
68	Interpretation for Chapter 4.
69	Duties of employer.

	Chapter 5 — Display Screen Equipment
70	Interpretation for Chapter 5.
71	Non-application of Chapter 5.
72	Duties of employer.
73	Provision of eye tests and corrective appliances.

PART 3

ELECTRICITY

74	Interpretation for Part 3.
75	Application of Part 3.
76	Suitability of electrical equipment and installations.
77	Adverse or hazardous environments.
78	Identification and marking.
79	Protection against electric shock in normal conditions.
80	Protection against electric shock in fault conditions.
81	Portable equipment.
82	Connections and cables.
83	Overcurrent protection.
84	Auxiliary generator and battery supply.
85	Switching and isolation for work on equipment made dead.
86	Precautions for work on electrical equipment.
87	Working space, access and lighting.
88	Persons to be competent to prevent danger.
89	Testing and inspection.
90	Earth leakage protection for higher voltage.
91	Substation and main switch room.
92	Fencing of outdoor equipment.
93	Overhead lines and underground cables.

PART 4

WORK AT HEIGHT

94	Interpretation for Part 4.
95	Organisation, planning and risk assessment.
96	Checking of places of work at height.
97	Weather conditions.
98	Avoidance of risks from work at height.
99	Protection of places of work at height.
100	Selection of work equipment for work at height.
101	Condition of surfaces for supporting structures.
102	Stability of supporting structure.
103	Guard-rails, toe-boards, barriers, etc.
104	Stability of working platforms.
105	Safety on working platforms.
106	Loading of working platform and supporting structures.
107	Scaffolding, additional requirements.
108	Collective safeguards for arresting falls.
109	Personal fall protection systems.
110	Work positioning systems.
111	Rope access or positioning technique.
112	Fall arrest systems.
113	Work restraint systems.
114	Ladders.
115	Fragile surfaces.
116	Falling objects.
117	Danger areas.
118	Interpretation for Regulation 119
119	Inspection of work equipment.

PART 5

PHYSICAL AGENTS

	Chapter 1 — Control of Noise at Work
120	Interpretation.
121	Application.
122	Transitional periods.
123	Exposure limit values and exposure action values.
124	Determination and assessment of risks above a lower exposure action value.
125	Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing exposure.
126	Application of upper exposure action values.
127	Prevention of exposure above noise level of 85dB(A).
128	Application of exposure limit value.
129	Personal protection.
130	Employee information, training and consultation.
131	Health surveillance, records and effects.
132	Exemptions.

	Chapter 2 — Control of Vibration at Work
133	Interpretation.
134	Transitional periods.
135	Exposure limit values and action values.
136	Determination and assessment of risks.
137	Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing exposure.
138	Application of exposure action values.
139	Application of exposure limit value.
140	Employee information and training.
141	Health surveillance, records and effects.
142	Exemptions.

PART 6

SENSITIVE RISK GROUPS


	Chapter 1 — Protection of Children and Young Persons
143	Interpretation for Chapter 1.
144	Risk assessment.
145	Circumstances prohibiting employment of a child or young person.
146	Health surveillance.

	Chapter 2 — Protection of Pregnant, Post Natal and Breastfeeding Employees
147	Interpretation for Chapter 2.
148	Application of Chapter 2.
149	Risk assessment.
150	Protective or preventive measures.
151	Night work.
152	Information.

	Chapter 3 — Night Work and Shift Work
153	Interpretation for Chapter 3.
154	Application of Chapter 3.
155	Night work risk assessment.
156	Protective or preventive measures with respect to night workers and shift workers.
157	Health assessment and transfer to day work.

PART 7

SAFETY SIGNS AND FIRST-AID

	Chapter 1 — Safety Signs at Places of Work
158	Interpretation for Chapter 1.
159	Application of Chapter 1.
160	Provision of safety signs.
161	Information and instruction for employees.
162	Prohibition of unauthorised information on signs.

	Chapter 2 — First-aid
163	Interpretation for Chapter 2.
164	Application of Chapter 2.
165	Provisions for first-aid.
166	First-aid rooms.

PART 8

EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES AT PLACES OF WORK

167	Interpretation for Part 8.
168	Application of Part 8.
169	Assessment of explosion risk and explosion protection document.
170	Classification of places where explosive atmospheres may occur.
171	Prevention against explosion.
172	Safety of plant, equipment and protective systems.
173	Training, instructions, permits to work.
174	Protection of employees from explosion.
175	Coordination at workplaces.

PART 9

CONTROL OF ARTIFICIAL OPTICAL RADIATION AT WORK

176	Interpretation for Part 9.
177	Application of Part 9.
178	Exposure Limit Values.
179	Determination of Exposure and Assessment of Risks.
180	Provisions aimed at Avoiding or Reducing Exposure.
181	Employee Information and Training.
182	Health Surveillance.

PART 10

PRESSURE SYSTEMS

183	Interpretation for Part 10.
184	Application of Part 10.
185	Revocations, saver and transitional matters.
186	Design, construction and safe operating limits of a pressure system, or parts thereof.
187	Installation of pressure equipment or a pressure system.
188	Marking.
189	Information and instruction.
190	Maintenance of Pressure Systems.
191	Examination of pressure equipment or a pressure system.
192	Report by a competent person.
193	Keeping of records and registers of pressure vessels.
194	Duty of persons who hire pressure equipment to others.

PART 11

WOODWORKING MACHINES

195	Interpretation for Part 11.
196	Application of Part 11.
197	Space around woodworking machines.
198	Training, instruction and information.
199	Guarding and other protection measures for woodworking machines.
200	Maintenance of woodworking machines.
201	Precautions to reduce risk of contact during rundown of wookworking machines.
202	Discharge of dust emitted by woodworking machines.
203	Circular sawing machines.
204	Multiple rip sawing machines and straight line edging machines.
205	Band sawing machines.
206	Planing machines.
207	Vertical spindle moulding machines.

PART 12

ABRASIVE WHEELS

208	Interpretation for Part 12.
209	Application of Part 12.
210	Use of abrasive wheels.
211	Speed of revolution.
212	Mounting of abrasive wheels.
213	Authorisation and training.
214	Guarding and rests for workpieces and flanges.

PART 13

ABRASIVE BLASTING OF SURFACES

215	Interpretation for Part 13.
216	Application of Part 13.
217	Provision of blasting apparatus, enclosures and ventilating plant.
218	Prohibition on silica.
219	Protection of employees and other persons.
220	Persons under 18 years of age.
221	Personal protective equipment.
222	Blasting enclosures for cleaning of castings.
223	Cleaning blasting enclosures, blasting apparatus and ventilating plant.

PART 14

REPORTING OF ACCIDENTS AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES

224	Interpretation for Part 14.
225	Reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences.
226	Keeping of records.
223	Application of Part 14.
228	Defence in proceedings.
229	Examinations and tests.
SCHEDULE 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK EQUIPMENT Part A — Exemption from certain provisions of Regulation 46 Part B — Period of thorough examination of lifting equipment, lifting accessory equipment or other miscellaneous equipment Part C — Circumstances requiring testing of lifting equipment as part of a thorough examination Part D — Equipment that has a lifting function, is subject to Regulation 30 and is not subject to Regulation 52 Part E — Information to be contained in report of thorough examination SCHEDULE 2 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT Part A —RISKS IN RELATION TO BODY PARTS TO BE PROTECTED BY PPE Part B — NON-EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF TYPES OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WITH REGARD TO THE RISKS THEY PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST Part C — NON - EXHAUSTIVE LIST OF SECTORS OR ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY REQUIRE THE PROVISION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE 3 RISK FACTORS FOR MANUAL HANDLING OF LOADS SCHEDULE 4 MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE 5 PARTICULARS TO BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT OF INSPECTION SCHEDULE 6 HAND-ARM VIBRATION AND WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION Part A — Hand-arm vibration Part B — Whole-body vibration SCHEDULE 7 PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS Part A — Guide list of agents, processes and work Part B — Processes and work SCHEDULE 8 LISTS OF AGENTS, PROCESSES AND WORKING CONDITIONS RELATING TO PREGNANT, POST NATAL AND BREASTFEEDING EMPLOYEES Part A — Pregnant, post natal and breastfeeding employees Part B — Pregnant employees Part C — Employees who are breastfeeding SCHEDULE 9 SAFETY AND HEALTH SIGNS AT WORK Part A — General requirements Part B — Signboards Part C — Signs on containers and pipes Part D — Identification and location of fire-fighting equipment used exclusively for fire-fighting purposes Part E — Signs used for obstacles and dangerous locations and for marking traffic routes Part F — Illuminated signs Part G — Acoustic signs Part H — Verbal communication Part I — Hand signals SCHEDULE 10 EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES Part A — Classification of places where explosive atmospheres may occur Part B — Warning sign for places where explosive atmospheres may occur SCHEDULE 11 ARTIFICIAL OPTICAL RADIATION Part 1 — Non-Coherent Optical Radiation Part 2 —Laser Optical Radiation Part 3 —Assessment, Measurement and Calculation of Exposure SCHEDULE 12 PRESSURE SYSTEMS Part A—Pressure systems excepted from Part 10 Part B—Period of examination of pressure vessels Part C —Marking of pressure vessels Part D—Information to be contained in report of examination SCHEDULE 13 WOODWORKING MACHINES SCHEDULE 14 TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION SCHEDULE 15 DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES

S.I. No. 299 of 2007

SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE AT WORK (GENERAL APPLICATION) REGULATIONS 2007

REVISED

Updated to 24 May 2023

I, Tony Killeen, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in exercise of powers conferred on me by section 58 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 (No. 10 of 2005) and the Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Delegation of Ministerial Functions) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 316 of 2005), after consultation with the Health and Safety Authority, hereby make the following regulations—

Revised Acts

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Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007