THE Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is encouraging small business owners, managers and worker representatives to register for its upcoming free workplace safety seminar at the Fota Island Resort in Cork on Wednesday March 18th.

The practical morning seminar will be delivered by HSA inspectors, giving attendees the opportunity to learn from the specialists who inspect workplaces across Ireland every day.

With firsthand insight into the types of hazards that most frequently cause injuries, HSA inspectors will guide participants through real-world examples, common areas of non-compliance and essential preventative measures.

 Topics covered will include manual handling, slips, trips and falls, work at height, vehicle operations, the use of work equipment and machinery, as well as fire, chemical, LPG and gas risks.  Attendees will also learn about additional hidden dangers that can occur in day-to-day operations.

In addition, HSA inspectors and other specialists will be on hand to answer any questions and provide tailored guidance and information. The latest HSA tools and training resources will also be highlighted.

Provisional figures published by the HSA in January showed that 58 people died in work-related incidents during 2025, representing a 61% increase on the 36 who died in 2024.

The agriculture sector, with 23 deaths, accounted for the highest number of fatalities, representing 40% of all work-related deaths last year from a sector employing around 4% of the workforce.

There were 10 deaths in the construction sector compared to five in 2024, while five fatalities were recorded in the manufacturing sector, compared to none the previous year.

The Cork event starts at 10am with registration from 9.30am. To book your place visit www.hsa.ie.