Major Health and Safety Reforms Take Effect Across UK and Ireland
Employers across the UK and Ireland are navigating a landscape of significant health and safety legislative changes and guidance updates throughout 2026. These reforms underscore a growing commitment to protecting workers from both physical and psychological hazards, with new regulations addressing everything from chemical exposure to public safety and mental wellbeing. Businesses are urged to review their current practices to ensure full compliance and foster safer working environments.
UK Focus: Mental Health, Building Safety, and Martyn's Law
In the UK, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is prioritising the reduction of work-related ill health, particularly in mental health and stress. Employers are now expected to identify, assess, record (for businesses with five or more employees), and proactively manage these mental health risks, treating them with the same gravity as physical hazards. The HSE has indicated it will take enforcement action where employers fail to manage work-related stress, particularly if warning signs are ignored.
Building safety continues to be a critical area of reform. The Building Safety Regulator (BSR), established under the Building Safety Act 2022, became a standalone body on January 27, 2026, transferring from the HSE. This aims to achieve greater accountability in high-risk buildings. This implies that landlords and building operators will be held to even higher standards, particularly in areas such as maintenance, fire safety, and structural safety. Furthermore, the Fire Safety (Residential Evacuation Plans) (England) Regulations 2025, coming into force on April 6, 2026, will require active management of fire risks in residential properties, including person-centred fire risk assessments and Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for consenting residents whose ability to evacuate without assistance is compromised.
Another significant development is Martyn's Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. This legislation introduces staged requirements for public venues and event organisers to adopt specific security measures and safety plans to ensure public safety. It requires public-facing spaces to review risk assessments and provide staff training on new security protocols. Measures include conducting security risk assessments, having clear emergency plans, training staff, improving site entry and movement, using surveillance, and potentially adding physical barriers. The Home Office is expected to provide further guidance on compliance during 2026.
The HSE has also launched proposals to modernise the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR), with a consultation open until June 30, 2026. This review is set to expand the list of reportable occupational diseases from six to nineteen, including new conditions related to asbestos and silica exposure, noise-induced hearing loss, and emerging risks from modern workplaces. In a related move, the HSE announced a major package of measures on May 11, 2026, to protect workers from engineered stone dust, effectively ruling out dry-cutting methods unless equally effective or better controls are in place. A 12-month inspection campaign targeting fabrication sites across Great Britain has begun, with over 1,000 visits planned.
Ireland's Updated Chemical and Workplace Safety Regulations
In Ireland, significant updates have been made to protect workers from hazardous chemicals. Minister of State Alan Dillon TD signed two new sets of Regulations into law on April 2, 2026: the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) (Amendment) Regulations 2026. These regulations implement EU Directive 2024/869, aiming to improve worker protection from the harmful effects of lead and diisocyanates, which can pose serious health risks including impacts on fertility, the nervous system, and respiratory conditions like asthma. For the first time, the Directive sets EU-wide occupational exposure limits for diisocyanates.
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Following these amendments, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) published a new Code of Practice on the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001 to 2026 and the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Regulations 2024 and 2026, which came into force on April 9, 2026. This new Code of Practice replaces previous versions and provides updated guidance for businesses handling these substances.
The HSA is also intensifying its focus on Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and Visual Display Unit (VDU) standards, particularly with the permanent shift towards hybrid working. Employers now have a non-delegable duty to evaluate the safety and health conditions of employees' workstations, including separate, documented risk assessments for home offices if an employee works from home habitually.
Broader Implications for Businesses
These legislative and guidance updates across both the UK and Ireland highlight a clear trend towards more comprehensive and proactive health and safety management. The focus extends beyond traditional physical hazards to encompass psychological wellbeing and preparedness for emerging risks. Businesses are advised to conduct thorough reviews of their current safety statements, risk assessments, and training programmes to ensure full compliance. The economic cost of workplace injury and ill-health remains substantial, with an estimated £22.9 billion annually in the UK, underscoring the importance of robust health and safety practices.
Staying informed and adapting to these changes is not merely a legal obligation but also a strategic imperative for protecting employees, maintaining reputation, and avoiding significant penalties. The HSA has the authority to impose substantial fines and hold directors personally liable for non-compliance in Ireland.
For further training and support in navigating these evolving health and safety requirements, businesses can consult resources like Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk.