Sean Downey is the Construction Industry Federation’s Director of Safety, Education and Training
As we head into 2025, the aim is to take stock of the initiatives we’ve run so far, assess their impact, and decide what comes next.
There’s a growing narrative that while we’ve made great progress on safety, it’s time to shift more focus toward health. One area I’m particularly interested in is collaborating with the Occupational Hygiene Society of Ireland on their Clean Air Flag initiative.
This could mark the start of a new chapter, placing workforce health on equal footing with safety. Of course, we can’t afford to be complacent.
There are significant changes on the horizon that will shape the construction industry. One is the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, which will have major implications for competency-based programmes like the CSCS and QSCS.
This bill is set to change how training and licensing operate, and it’s critical to ensure the high standards already in place are not compromised. Another major shift is the move to a single integrated model for craft apprenticeships.
This transition has been in progress for two years and is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, although realistically, it may take much longer – likely another three years.
The current system manages 23,000 apprenticeships efficiently, with the off-the- job phase funded by the State. Any disruption to this process could discourage companies from engaging with apprenticeships altogether, reducing the pipeline of skilled workers.
This could also have a knock-on effect on the competitiveness of Irish construction firms, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, data centres, and tech, which rely heavily on highly skilled labour.
Leveraging technology for safety One of the most exciting developments is the potential of data analytics and AI to transform safety. We’re currently working with the civil engineering sector on a project to track and benchmark near-misses and safety incidents.
Sharing this data industry-wide could be a game changer. Predictive analytics, in particular, could allow us to anticipate and prevent accidents, opening up entirely new ways to keep workers safe.
I believe technology like this could be pivotal in moving the industry forward, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it can be developed further to enhance both health and safety outcomes.
Partnerships and collaboration
Partnerships remain central to driving meaningful change. Our work with the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) through the Construction Safety Partnership has been hugely beneficial.
This collaboration, along with proactive working groups, ensures we’re aligned with the HSA’s new strategy. Together, we’re addressing gaps and setting new benchmarks for the industry.
The Safety Summit: A platform for progress
The Safety Summit this year is something I’m particularly excited about. It’s a chance to take the temperature of the industry, hear directly from safety representatives, and identify the hot topics that matter most.
It also provides the perfect platform to launch our October safety campaign and lay the groundwork for the future.
By reflecting on what’s worked, addressing upcoming challenges, and harnessing the potential of technology and partnerships, we’re poised to ensure 2025 is a year of real progress in construction health and safety.
