Sweeping Health and Safety Changes Impact UK and Ireland Workplaces in 2026
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
The UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is prioritising the reduction of work-related ill health, particularly mental health and stress, in 2026. Employers are expected to identify psychosocial risks such as stress, workload pressures, and burnout as part of their legal duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWA). The HSE has made it clear that enforcement action may be taken where employers fail to manage work-related stress, especially 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 move aims for greater accountability in high-risk and multi-occupancy buildings, with stricter compliance standards for landlords, property managers, and operators.
Furthermore, Martyn's Law, officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, introduces staged requirements for public venues and events. This legislation mandates robust security measures and emergency planning for spaces such as shopping centres, leisure facilities, and venues where large numbers of people gather. Businesses are required to carry out security risk assessments, have clear emergency plans, and ensure staff receive basic security training.
The HSE has also launched proposals to modernise the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), with a consultation open until June 30, 2026. This significant review aims to expand the list of reportable occupational diseases from six to nineteen, including new conditions related to asbestos and silica exposure, and noise-induced hearing loss. The HSE has also begun new plans to strengthen asbestos management in commercial and multi-occupancy buildings, focusing on improving the quality and frequency of asbestos surveys and ensuring proper clearance checks.
Hybrid and remote working arrangements are also under scrutiny, with employers increasingly expected to consider risks outside the traditional office, including workstation ergonomics, mental health, and general safety in home or hybrid work setups. The HSE's guidance states that employers must carry out proportionate risk assessments for regular home workers and provide training, information, and suitable equipment where reasonably practicable.
Ireland's Strengthened Chemical and DSE Regulations
In Ireland, significant updates have been introduced to strengthen worker protection 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, sexual function, the nervous system, asthma, and skin conditions. For the first time, the Directive sets EU-wide occupational exposure limits for diisocyanates. The regulations also strengthen protections related to lead exposure, requiring ongoing medical monitoring for workers with elevated blood-lead levels and setting stricter exposure limits for female workers of childbearing age.
Related training: If you are looking to qualify as a trainer in this area, see fire safety instructor training or explore DSE assessor training for nationally recognised UK and Ireland qualifications.
Following these amendments, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has 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.
The HSA has also intensified its focus on Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and Visual Display Unit (VDU) standards, particularly in the context of hybrid and remote working. For 2026, the HSA has clarified that the employer's duty under Regulation 72 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 includes dual-location risk assessments for employees who habitually work from home. A separate, documented assessment is now required for both the office and the home office.
HSE Inspection Priorities and Guidance Updates
The HSE's inspection programme for 2026/27 includes around 14,000 proactive inspections, prioritising health-focused interventions. Key areas of focus include mental health, stress, violence, aggression, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and occupational lung diseases, including asbestos management and exposure to hazardous dusts like silica.
In May 2026, the HSE published extensively improved guidance on managing infection risks and biological hazards in workplaces. This refreshed guidance offers practical advice on risk assessment and applying the law, with a new site structure designed to make it easier for employers to find relevant information based on workplace type and potential risks.
The HSE has also issued new guidance for engineered stone, outlining controls that effectively rule out dry-cutting unless equally effective or better controls can be demonstrated. This guidance is accompanied by a 1,000+ inspection programme that began in May/June 2026 and runs through the 2026/27 period.
These comprehensive updates across both the UK and Ireland highlight a proactive approach to health and safety, aiming to address evolving workplace risks and enhance worker protection. Businesses must stay informed and adapt their practices to ensure compliance and maintain a safe and healthy working environment.
For businesses seeking to navigate these new regulations and ensure their workforce is adequately trained, Abertay Training at https://www.abertaytraining.co.uk offers expert guidance and comprehensive training solutions tailored to the latest health and safety standards.