HSA Inspections - Focus Now On Driving For Work
Irish employers across every sector are on notice: the HSA has confirmed to DriverFocus that workplace inspections until year-end will “focus on Driving for Work (DFW) Risk Management.”
They also told us: “Several investigations on work-related road collisions are ongoing,” “Targeted talks to stakeholder groups are ongoing,” and “more interventions are being considered for autumn.” (HSA to DriverFocus, July 2025).1
What inspectors expect to see (simple and auditable)
The 2025 RSA/HSA guidance sets out a clear pathway: include driving for work as a hazard in your Safety Statement, have a current DFW policy, complete a driver-vehicle-journey risk assessment, put controls in place (e.g. fatigue, distraction, speed, grey-fleet checks), train and supervise managers and drivers, and monitor/review performance with evidence.2
Common gaps we see
No (or outdated) risk assessment covering driver, vehicle and journey.
Driving licence checks not evidenced (or one-off only), especially for grey fleet.
DFW policy missing or unknown to staff and contractors.
Training left to chance and manager supervision inconsistent (journey planning, penalty point checks, incident follow-up).
Records scattered (maintenance, pre-use checks, incidents/near misses) and not reviewable.
Your 30-day audit-readiness plan
Assign ownership - name a DFW lead. Brief HR, Safety and Fleet on roles.
Update/approve your DFW policy - define what counts as “driving for work”. Include fatigue, distraction, intoxicants, speed and grey-fleet rules.
Complete a driver–vehicle–journey risk assessment - identify most at-risk drivers, record controls, actions, owners and due dates.
Evidence licence checks - maintain a live register (dates, categories, outcomes) for everyone who drives for work, including grey fleet.
Brief managers - provide a short supervision checklist (e.g. journey planning, vehicle checks, fit-to-drive questions, incident/near-miss reporting).
Close the records loop - keep concise logs (policy briefings, training/inductions, maintenance and pre-use checks, incidents/near misses, corrective actions). Schedule a monthly review.
One-page evidence pack: what to show an inspector
Safety Statement explicitly listing driving for work as a hazard (with consultation noted).
Driving for Work policy (current, communicated, accessible).
Risk assessment (driver–vehicle–journey) and an action tracker.
Licence-check register (including grey fleet).
Training and supervision records (inductions, refreshers, manager briefings).
Vehicle safety and maintenance evidence (pre-use checks, servicing, NCT/CVRT).
Incident and near-miss records and learning reviews.
Monthly review notes/KPIs (e.g., % up-to-date licence checks; training completion; defect close-out time).2
Here to help
If you’d like a quick sense-check of your evidence pack before an inspection, talk to the DriverFocus team. Book a demo: driverfocus.ie/contact-us or call +353 (01) 2311 400.
Disclaimer - Guidance, not legal advice: This post provides general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always consult current legislation and official guidance.2
Footnotes
Statements provided by HSA to DriverFocus (July 2025)
Driving for Work: Risk Management — Guidance for Employers (July 2025), jointly developed by HSA, RSA and An Garda Síochána. Health and Safety Authority
Services:
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Sources
[1] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), p.6: Up to 40% of road deaths are work-related.
[2] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), p.8: Driving for work must be listed as a hazard in your Safety Statement.
[3] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), pp.12 & 17: Driving for work policy and grey fleet management.
[4] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), p.16: Annual licence and fitness checks are essential.
[5] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), pp.18–22 & 31: Survey confirms higher risk of speeding, distraction, fatigue among work drivers.
[6] RSA Driving for Work Guidance (2025), pp.32–33: Ongoing monitoring, review and data use is required.