Safety, Health and Wellbeing Calendar 2026
Quarter 3 (July – Sept) – Look Up, Down and Around

The CIF has updated its Safety, Health, and Wellbeing Calendar to address the key focus areas for construction in 2026

The intent is to promote a high level of focus on essential site safety considerations, as perceived by the CIF Safety and Health Subcommittee. The calendar endeavours to provide an itinerary of key diary events for each calendar month to reflect national and international campaigns for safety, health and wellbeing. It must be acknowledged that the calendar is not rigid and may be amended to reflect developing issues or indeed targeted safety or health campaigns.

Lessons Learned / Best Practices in Health & Safety

Construction Safety Campaign

The 2026 Construction Safety Campaign is scheduled for two weeks, from 12-23rd October 2026, maintaining the campaign theme of ‘Back to Basics’ from last year’s campaign.

View here

July 2026 – Traffic Management

The focus for July is Traffic Management. Incidents with machinery/vehicles were amongst the leading causes of workplace fatalities in 2025, alongside being hit by falling objects and falls from height. Watch out for a live podcast recording with Highway Markings Ltd., one of the leading providers of road maintenance services in Ireland, where we explore best practice in terms of traffic management.

Where works are to be carried out on operational public roads, the requirements of Chapter 8 – Traffic Signs Manual and Temporary Traffic Management Design Guidance apply.

Traffic management on construction sites involves the planning, coordination, and supervision of vehicle and pedestrian movements to maintain both safety and operational efficiency. The HSA has developed a Construction Site Traffic Management Plan template to assist contractors and PSCS in organising and controlling vehicles and mobile plant equipment on construction sites (excluding public roads). It is recommended to begin by identifying appropriate traffic routes, designated pedestrian and vehicle access points, and any live services or potential hazards and constraints.

July 2026 also marks Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcomas are cancerous tumours that may affect bone, cartilage or soft tissues such as muscle, nerves and fat. According to the Irish Cancer Society, circa 235 people in Ireland are diagnosed with a form of sarcoma annually. World Drowning Prevention Day is observed on 25^th July and serves as an opportunity to remember those lost, to help others understand the risks, make safer choices, and prevent future tragedies. The International Day of Friendship falls on 30^th July.

August 2026 – Lifting and Loading

In August we focus on safe Lifting and Loading, aligning with a thematic campaign by the HSA inspectorate. These tasks may involve significant risks, including heavy or elevated loads, the use of fixed or mobile machinery and a demand for coordination and cooperation. Watch out for a live podcast recording involving the CIF, the HSA, the DAA and IMCHA on this topic.

Take the opportunity to review Lift Plans and to confirm that all lifting gear (e.g. chains, slings etc.) are certified appropriately, pre-use checks are completed and records maintained. Consider the training requirements for all persons involved in lifting and loading (e.g. Plant Operator, Slinger/Signaller, Appointed Person, Lift Supervisor) to ensure that are suitably competent.

Please be reminded that excavator operators involved in basic lifting operations will require the appropriate CSCS, and if their CSCS was obtained prior to May’26, evidence of additional add-on training covering lifting operations with excavators – as outlined in GN-25-02 (Rev.1). SOLAS has made available a Video on Use of Excavators for Basic Lifting Operations, which has been incorporated into the CSCS programme.

Key dates during the month include International Youth Day on 12^th August, World Humanitarian Day on 19^th August, and International Overdose Awareness Day on 31^st August; the HSE National Social Inclusion Office (NSIO) will host a Live Webinar – International Overdose Awareness on 31^st August at 1pm.

September 2026 – Mobile Plant and Machinery

The theme for September is Mobile Plant and Machinery – one of the recognised critical risks faced in construction. Watch out for a live podcast with Sisk-Sorensen on the Limerick to Adare Bypass.

We understand that this theme will be a focus of the HSA inspectorate, and the expectation will be that contractors develop and maintain a Construction Site Traffic Management Plan – to ensure segregation of mobile plant and workers/pedestrians. Posters detailing Plant and People Interface Zones for various forms of mobile plant and machinery are shared in the links below.

The HSA may also seek evidence of the undertaking of pre-use checks and regular/weekly inspections of vehicles and mobile equipment, supported by a preventative maintenance programme. For instance, brake testing intervals should not exceed six months. If you are the owner, operator, or driver of a vehicle (including trailers), you are legally responsible for ensuring it is safe and roadworthy when used in public areas. Failure to meet this obligation may result in accidents, fines of up to €5,000, and/or imprisonment for up to six months. Ensure that warning beacons, reverse cameras/alarms are functioning, keys kept in a secure location and all ancillary devices are inspected/tagged.

September 2026 is Irish Heart Month. On 10^th September, we acknowledge World Suicide Prevention Day, followed by Culture Night Ireland on 18^th and the Annual Fundraising Day – Irish Wheelchair Association on 24^th September.

In September 2026 marks the 25-year anniversary of the first issuance of certification for Safe-T-Cert.ie following the earlier launch of this construction sector specific safety management system standard in April of 2001. The Scheme’s objective is to enhance health and safety management by establishing clear, objective standards and certifying contractors whose safety management systems meet these defined requirements.