OHSS

30/04/2026

Asbestos regulations were tightened in 2023, with a significant reduction in the allowable level of airborne fibres coming fully into force at the end of 2025. The change reflects a growing body of evidence that even low-level exposure carries serious long-term health risks.

It wasn't an arbitrary policy shift; rather, the setting of a new standard for how asbestos gets handled on-site. The problem is that some Irish workplaces haven't fully caught up.

Asbestos Lurks in Older Buildings

Older buildings still contain asbestos, and routine work like maintenance or refurbishment can disturb it, putting everyone at risk of major health issues like asbestosis and mesothelioma. The current rules have brought down the acceptable levels by a great deal.

Asbestos regulations were tightened in 2023, with a significant reduction in the allowable level of airborne fibres coming fully into force at the end of 2025. The change reflects a growing body of evidence that even low-level exposure carries serious long-term health risks.

20/04/2026

In 2023, changes to asbestos regulations were agreed at the EU level, including a tenfold reduction in the allowable level of airborne fibres. Those changes are now in force following the December 2025 implementation deadline, which means the standard employers are expected to meet has officially changed.

In 2023, changes to asbestos regulations were agreed at the EU level, including a tenfold reduction in the allowable level of airborne fibres. Those changes are now in force following the December 2025 implementation deadline, which means the standard employers are expected to meet has officially ch...

15/04/2026

Although asbestos has been banned in Ireland since 2000, it remains widespread in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2004. Asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods and continue to cause significant mortality in Ireland. Asbestos is frequently encountered during refurbishment, retrofit, demolition, and brownfield redevelopment works, creating exposure, delay, and liability risks if not correctly identified and managed.

Although asbestos has been banned in Ireland since 2000, it remains widespread in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2004. Asbestos-related diseases have long latency periods and continue to cause significant mortality in Ireland. Asbestos is frequently encountered during refurbishment, ret...

13/04/2026

Asbestos is still a serious problem in Ireland. It's not being used in new housing today, but it's sitting in thousands of older buildings - in roofs, floor tiles, pipe lagging, insulation and cement sheets. The problems start when anyone starts drilling, cutting or demolishing the material.

Disturbed asbestos releases fibres you can't see. Breathe them in, and they stay there permanently, potentially leading to mesothelioma and asbestosis later on in life.

In 2023, the EPA published best practice guidance covering how the material should be handled during asbestos removal and disposal.

Asbestos is still a serious problem in Ireland. It's not being used in new housing today, but it's sitting in thousands of older buildings - in roofs, floor tiles, pipe lagging, insulation and cement sheets. The problems start when anyone starts drilling, cutting or demolishing the material.

04/04/2026

🌸🐣 Happy Easter! 🐣🌸
As we welcome the season of renewal and fresh beginnings, we’d like to take a moment to wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Easter.
May this time bring you and your loved ones happiness, hope, and a renewed sense of purpose—both personally and professionally.

At OHSS Safety Consultants, we’re grateful for the continued trust and collaboration of our clients, partners, and community. Here’s to growth, positivity, and success in the months ahead.
Wishing you a serene and joyful Easter! 🌼

29/03/2026

We are supporting Asbestos – Your Duty, a new campaign launched by Health and Safety Executive to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and the legal duty to manage asbestos in buildings.

This video explains the steps to the duty to manage asbestos in buildings.https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=referral&utm_ca...

23/03/2026

Asbestos is still a serious problem in Ireland. It's not being used in new housing today, but it's sitting in thousands of older buildings - in roofs, floor tiles, pipe lagging, insulation and cement sheets. The problems start when anyone starts drilling, cutting or demolishing the material.

Disturbed asbestos releases fibres you can't see. Breathe them in, and they stay there permanently, potentially leading to mesothelioma and asbestosis later on in life.

In 2023, the EPA published best practice guidance covering how the material should be handled during asbestos removal and disposal.

The Key Principles of Safe Asbestos Handling

Asbestos is still a serious problem in Ireland. It's not being used in new housing today, but it's sitting in thousands of older buildings - in roofs, floor tiles, pipe lagging, insulation and cement sheets. The problems start when anyone starts drilling, cutting or demolishing the material.

23/03/2026

Tesco Superstore in Ireland has recalled a number of toys sold across its stores after safety checks raised concerns that some products may contain asbestos. Customers who bought the affected items have been told to return them for a full refund.

While asbestos recalls are rare, they do happen, and they are typically implemented very quickly. Even a suspicion of contamination is enough to pull products from shelves - and rightly so, given what's at stake.

Tesco Superstore in Ireland has recalled a number of toys sold across its stores after safety checks raised concerns that some products may contain asbestos. Customers who bought the affected items have been told to return them for a full refund.

16/03/2026

Happy Saint Patrik's Day everyone!
www.ohss.ie

08/03/2026

Asbestos was everywhere in Europe throughout the twentieth century, existing in insulation, cement products, roofing sheets, pipe lagging and even fireproof materials. Back then, it was prized for durability and heat resistance. The health consequences, though, for coming into contact with airborne fibres can be devastating.

Breathing them, through improper asbestos removal and disposal, can cause lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, with many people not showing symptoms until decades after they were first exposed.

The European Union cut those risks by introducing a full ban in the early 2000s. From 1 January 2005, all forms of asbestos were prohibited across EU Member States. The ban covered manufacture, marketing and new use, putting the EU among the first major regions to go for a total prohibition.

Asbestos was everywhere in Europe throughout the twentieth century, existing in insulation, cement products, roofing sheets, pipe lagging and even fireproof materials. Back then, it was prized for durability and heat resistance. The health consequences, though, for coming into contact with airborne....

05/03/2026

Asbestos remains one of the most serious occupational hazards across Ireland, decades after its widespread use in construction and industrial materials. Even though deliberate use of asbestos was banned in the EU years ago, millions of workers are still at risk during demolition, renovation, and waste handling involving older buildings.

Airborne asbestos fibres are carcinogenic and linked to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. To support employers, workers and national authorities in protecting health and safety more effectively, the European Commission adopted new Guidelines for managing asbestos‑related health and safety risks at work on 18 December 2025.

These guidelines are designed to help organisations put the latest legal requirements (especially those from the amended asbestos at work Directive) into practical action.

Asbestos remains one of the most serious occupational hazards across Ireland, decades after its widespread use in construction and industrial materials. Even though deliberate use of asbestos was banned in the EU years ago, millions of workers are still at risk during demolition, renovation, and was...