2026 Agenda
7:15AM
Networking Arrival Break and Exhibition Viewing
8:00AM
WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
8:10AM
CIF CHIEF EXECUTIVE ADDRESS
Speaker:
8:25AM
HEALTH AND SAFETY AUTHORITY ADDRESS
8:40AM
PANEL DISCUSSION:
LEADERSHIP IN ACTION
Expert speakers will focus on integrating psychological and occupational health into Irish construction safety, emphasising strong leadership to move beyond just physical safety to actively manage stress, burnout, and mental well-being. Companies need to implement robust policies, communication, and resources to tackle stigma and ensure truly safe, supportive workplaces. The message urges the industry to take decisive action, making mental health a core safety principle, not an afterthought.
Topics will include:
- how to manage physical hazards as well as workload, communication, and work-life balance
- creating an environment where employees feel safe to speak up about mental health challenges without fear
- how to improve mental health literacy, reduce stigma, and increase help-seeking among construction workers
- building resilience, and the need to find, and be willing to accept help and support.
9:10AM
PANEL DISCUSSION:
INTEGRATING PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Health and wellbeing in construction remains a critical and evolving challenge. Investing in the next generation of skilled, safety-conscious workers is essential, requiring robust training pathways, and a culture that prioritises wellbeing from the outset of a career. At the same time, the sector must continue to identify and proactively manage the most dangerous tasks and conditions, using data, technology and risk-based approaches to prevent incidents before they occur. Addressing fatigue, mental health, ergonomic risks and site safety together will be key to building a resilient workforce capable of meeting future infrastructure demands while protecting the people at the heart of the industry.
9:45AM
PRESENTATION:
MOVING FROM REACTIVE RESPONSE
The Authority’s Strategy 25 – 27 focuses on Building and Supporting Compliance and Influence, Educate and Collaborate. The HSA in collaboration with the CIF have a number of initiatives to support the delivery of this strategy. This presentation will focus on initiatives in 2025 – 2026 to increase awareness, educate and work in collaboration with stakeholders. The CIF working in partnership with the HSA focusing on campaigns to reduce serious and fatal accidents from critical hazards, such campaigns include the All Island Work at Height Campaign and the new upcoming Plant and Machinery Campaign. Other occupational health focus initiatives include Silica Dust Exposure, UV and Psychosocial Wellbeing initiatives.
10:00AM
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Viewing
10:30AM
PANEL DISCUSSION:
BUILD BETTER, BUILD SAFER – WORKING WITH UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Ensuring teams can work safely around high-risk utilities such as electricity, gas, water and transport networks is critical in an increasingly complex built environment. Through stronger collaboration between contractors, utility providers and regulators, combined with innovation in planning, technology and training, the industry can significantly reduce risk on site. This approach also places a strong focus on preventing falls from height, which remain the leading cause of fatalities, alongside tackling issues such as poor site coordination, skills shortages, mental health pressures and the need for clearer leadership in safety culture. By building better and safer, we can create more resilient projects, safer sites and healthier futures for everyone working across the industry.
11:00AM
PANEL DISCUSSION:
TRAINING SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES FOR REAL WORLD IMPACT
Well-trained safety representatives play a critical role in embedding a proactive safety culture across construction sites. This panel will explore how equipping safety reps with practical skills, leadership confidence, and real-world knowledge can drive meaningful improvements in workplace health and safety, strengthen compliance, and foster shared responsibility across all levels of the organisation. Topics will include:
- the evolving role of safety representatives in today’s construction environment
- moving beyond compliance: developing practical, site-ready safety leadership skills
- building confidence to challenge unsafe behaviours and influence positive change
- collaboration between management, supervisors and safety representatives
- embedding a culture of health, wellbeing and shared accountability on site
- measuring the real-world impact of effective safety training
Speakers:
11:35AM
DRIVING SAFETY CULTURE IN SMES AND YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN:
Driving safety culture in Irish construction SMEs requires addressing cost barriers, enhancing risk awareness, fostering management commitment, and promoting mental well-being, moving beyond mere compliance to proactive, transformative safety through strong leadership, clear communication.
11:45AM
THE FIRST 24 HOURS AND THEREAFTER:
Managing the legal, human and commercial fallout of a fatal accident on site
This presentation aims to provide a clear and practical guide for employers on how to respond when a fatal accident occurs on site, focusing on what should be done in the first 24 hours and explaining, in practical terms, what organisations can typically expect as the HSA investigation and court process progresses.
12:00PM
Networking Lunch & Exhibition Viewing
1:00PM
WELCOME BACK FROM THE CHAIR
1:00PM
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Thematic roundtables are interactive discussions in small working groups. Moderated by seasoned industry experts and practitioners, they will address a compelling digital construction trend, issue, challenge, demonstration or an inspiring case study. This is your chance to join insightful discussions and workshops to align, share experiences and get new and actionable ideas from peers and experts.
ROUNDTABLE 1:
ROUNDTABLE 2
ROUNDTABLE 3
ROUNDTABLE 4
1:00PM
LESSONS LEARNED FROM INCIDENT TRACKING:
This session will explore how effective incident tracking can drive meaningful improvements in safety performance. It will focus on identifying root causes, recognising patterns, and turning data into practical preventive actions. Lessons learned will highlight how organisations can strengthen safety culture by sharing insights and closing the loop after incidents occur.
1:00PM
COMPETENCY AND CAPACITY:
This session will examine the importance of competency and capacity in managing health and safety risks across complex projects. It will explore how organisations can ensure the right skills, experience, and resources are in place at every level. The discussion will highlight leadership accountability, workforce planning, and the impact of competence on safety outcomes.
1:00PM
HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN CONSTRUCTION:
Creating healthier workplaces requires embedding a true culture of health and wellbeing from the very beginning of a person’s career, while also ensuring that workers at every stage have access to the right supports at the right time. Richie Butler will share his perspective on what holistic health and wellbeing looks like, and lead a discussion on practical measures that have a tangible impact on the mental and physical health on site. Together, the speakers will explore collaborative approaches to improving health outcomes across the construction sector. Mary Grady will highlight the charity’s vital role in providing 24/7 holistic support to the construction community across emotional, physical and financial wellbeing. This includes a free and confidential helpline, live webchat, text service, self-support app, and the Lighthouse Beacons programme, which provides a safe space for individuals to share concerns.
1:00PM
MOBILE PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:
This roundtable will explore the critical health and safety challenges associated with mobile plant and equipment on construction sites. Participants will discuss best practice in risk assessment, traffic management, operator competence, and the integration of engineering controls and emerging technologies to reduce incidents. Drawing on real world experience, the session will encourage open dialogue on lessons learned, regulatory expectations, and practical strategies to prevent collisions, rollovers, and struck by accidents.
1:50PM
ROUNDTABLE WRAP UP
2:00PM