Diploma in Health & Safety Law

This programme gives students a practical introduction to core regulatory structures in the area of health and safety. The course will cover legally imposed employer and employee obligations as well as common methods of enforcement by regulatory bodies. Particular attention will be paid to general standards of care imposed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and subsequent legislation.

Programme Aims and Objectives

This course aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of health and safety law as it is written and enforced. Students will become familiar with the general legal obligations imposed on employers, employees and other parties present at a place of work. Additionally, students will be introduced to the modern regulatory preference of encouraging prevention over the more traditional post-hoc apportionment of liability.

Programme Content

The Regulatory Framework: Historical Developments
Common law duties of employers: Wilson and Clyde Coal Company Ltd. v. English. Increasingly preventive approach: the Barrington Report. Development of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 1989.

Labour Law: Regulatory Bodies and Methods of Enforcement
The structure of Labour Law adjudication: administrative bodies and courts structure. The Injuries Board and the Health and Safety Authority. Civil and Criminal jurisdiction.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
Repeal of the 1989 Act: remaining secondary legislation. Expanded definition of Place of Work. Employers’ general duties. Employees’ general duties. Protective and Preventive Measures. Safety Representatives and Consultations. Regulations and Codes of Practice. Offences and Penalties. Safety Statements and Risk Assessments.

General Application Regulations 2007
Supplemental provisions with general application to all places of work, including: The Workplace; Work Equipment; Personal Protective Equipment; Manual Handling of Loads; Display Screen Equipment (VDUs); Electricity; First Aid; and Control of Noise.

Other Legislation/Workplace Standards
Examples of legislation in areas requiring greater regulatory oversight, such as construction (Construction Regulations 2006) and mining (Quarry Regulations 2008). HSA Codes of Practice and other publications on workplace safety.

Assessment

To be awarded the Diploma in Health and Safety Law a student will be required to complete a written assignment (100%).

Career Progression Opportunities

Students will have a solid foundation in the field of health and safety thereby enhancing their career options. The area of health and safety is a major area of the regulatory legal framework in Ireland; on completion of this programme participants will optimise their potential for current and prospective employers in both the public and private sectors.

Student Profile

Typically, participants on the programme have been employed in a variety of roles in the public and private sectors. Students generally in the course of their work fulfill roles with a health and safety dimension or indeed hold employment where health and safety compliance is the major function of their role.