Reporting Workplace Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences to the HSA in Ireland

Accident reporting to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) in Ireland is governed by Part 14 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, which was inserted by S.I. No. 370 of 2016 and took effect on 1 November 2016. In short, the person responsible must report workplace deaths, injuries that keep an employee from normal work for more than three consecutive days, certain injuries to non-workers, and listed dangerous occurrences. This guide explains who reports, what counts, the time limits, record keeping and the common traps, using the Irish Statute Book text, the HSA's own guidance and Citizens Information. It complements our overview of HSA mandatory training requirements, because managers who investigate incidents need to know these rules.

Where the rules come from

The Irish Statute Book text of S.I. No. 370 of 2016 says it inserts a new Part 14 (Regulations 224 to 229) and Schedule 15 into the 2007 Regulations, and revokes the 1993 General Application Regulations so far as still in operation, keeping their old reporting provisions only for accidents and dangerous occurrences before 1 November 2016. The Revised Acts contents list for the 2007 Regulations also shows Part 14, "Reporting of Accidents and Dangerous Occurrences", with Regulation 225. The Irish Statute Book version we read is the instrument as made, so check the consolidated text for later changes.

Who must report

Regulation 224 defines the "responsible person". In summary, it is the employer for an employee at work; otherwise the person controlling the place of work; and for a fatally injured self-employed person, the owner or tenant of the place of work, unless the deceased was the owner or tenant. A self-employed person may arrange for someone else to make the notification or report. The HSA's information sheet adds that self-employed people must report their own accidents, and that the emergency services, usually the Gardai, inform the HSA of fatal accidents involving self-employed people. The HSA's guidance says a self-employed person must report an injury that leaves them unable to do their normal work for more than three consecutive days, excluding the day of the accident.

What must be reported

Regulation 225(1) requires a report where:

• an employee dies from an accident at work or during work at another location;
• an employee cannot perform normal work for more than three consecutive days because of such an accident, excluding the day of the accident but counting non-working days;
• an employee dies within one year from such an accident;
• a non-worker dies within one year from an accident linked to a place of work or work activity;
• a non-worker is taken from the scene to a hospital or medical facility for treatment of the injury; or
• a dangerous occurrence happens.

Citizens Information (page last edited 16 July 2026) describes the main trigger for employees in plain terms: if you miss more than three consecutive days because of an accident or injury, your employer must report it, and the day of the accident is not counted. That page gives no reporting deadline and does not cover dangerous occurrences or record keeping, so the HSA and the Regulations are the sources for those points.

Two exclusions matter. Personal injury, for these purposes, excludes disease, occupational illness and impairment of mental condition, and Regulation 227 says the duty does not apply to a patient undergoing medical treatment from a registered doctor or dentist unless the cause is unrelated to the condition or the treatment. The HSA's guidance (updated October 2016) adds that mental injuries directly caused by an incident, such as shock or fright from an assault, are reportable if they cause the three-day absence. It lists examples of non-reportable cases such as non-consecutive absences and commuting collisions.

Dangerous occurrences

Schedule 15 lists the dangerous occurrences, which are events that could have caused serious harm even if nobody was hurt. In summary the categories include failure of lifting equipment or overturning of vehicles; explosion or collapse of pressure vessels; unintentional explosions and fires that stop work for more than 24 hours; sudden uncontrolled release of one tonne or more of flammable substances; scaffold collapse over five metres; building or structure collapse; uncontrolled release of a substance that could injure someone; contact with overhead electric lines over 200 volts; and wind turbine tower collapse or blade failure. The Schedule is longer than this summary, so use it to check any specific event.

Time limits and how to report

Regulation 225(1) sets two tracks:

• Fatal cases. Notify the HSA by the quickest practicable means as soon as possible after learning of the death, then send the written report in the approved form within five working days. The HSA information sheet says to inform the HSA or the Gardai immediately.
• Non-fatal injuries and dangerous occurrences. Send the written report in the approved form as soon as reasonably practicable and not later than 10 working days after the event.

The HSA information sheet says accidents can be reported online through the HSA's reporting website, or on paper using the IR1 form for accidents, and that dangerous occurrences are reported through the HSA's online reporting page. The sheet shows no date, so check the HSA site for the current method.

Preserving the scene

After a fatal reportable accident, Regulation 225(3) says nobody may disturb the scene until an inspector has inspected it or three clear days have passed after reporting. There are exceptions for actions taken by or with an inspector's consent and actions required by another statutory provision, and it is a defence in proceedings to prove an act was necessary for securing the safety or health of any person. The HSA guidance says employers may take steps to make the area safe.

Records and defences

Regulation 226 requires a record of each reportable accident or dangerous occurrence to be kept for 10 years from the event, containing the same information as the approved form, at the work location or, if impracticable, the usual business address, with extracts supplied to the HSA on request. The HSA says a copy of the submitted report is enough, and that recording near misses is good practice even when not reportable. Regulation 228 provides a defence where the person proves they were unaware of the reportable event and took all reasonable steps to have it brought to their notice. The HSA information sheet states that failure to report is an offence but does not give a penalty amount, and we have not stated one.

A practical approach for employers

This is our suggestion, not a legal requirement.

• Make sure every injury is logged the day it happens, with the date, so someone can count the consecutive days of absence.
• Give managers a one-page escalation rule: any death, any hospital transfer of a visitor or contractor, and any listed dangerous occurrence goes to a named person immediately.
• Set an internal diary date well before the 10 working day limit.
• Keep the 10-year record where it can be produced quickly.
• Remember that notices from inspectors are a separate topic, covered in our guide to HSA improvement and prohibition notices.

The HSA's information sheet also points to separate reporting routes for exposure to biological agents, certain occupational cancers and asbestos-related disease, which fall outside these Regulations.

Learnsignal's offices are off Baggot Street in Dublin, and we offer in-person training from there. For current details, see our CPD pages.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to report every workplace accident to the HSA?

No. Regulation 225 sets specific triggers, such as a death, more than three consecutive days unable to do normal work, certain injuries to non-workers, and listed dangerous occurrences. The HSA says recording near misses is good practice even when they are not reportable.

How are the three days counted?

The day of the accident is excluded, and weekends and other non-working days are counted, according to the Regulations and the HSA guidance.

How long do I have to report?

Fatal accidents must be notified as soon as possible with a written report within five working days. Non-fatal injuries and dangerous occurrences must be reported within 10 working days.

How long must I keep accident records?

Regulation 226 requires a record to be kept for 10 years from the accident or dangerous occurrence.

Check the HSA website for the current reporting form and method before you file.