Marvin OnumonuHSENI has launched a new advertising drive aimed at cutting work-related deaths in Northern Ireland (NI), with over 300 deaths estimated each year.
The TV and multimedia campaign is part of the ongoing workplace health campaign, which started in April 2025 and focuses on raising awareness of health risks at work and the need for controls.
Research found past workplace exposures to dust, fumes, and gases are still resulting in high numbers of deaths, with the cost to society running into hundreds of millions of pounds a year.
The campaign is pushing employers and staff to manage health risks at work, just as they do with safety risks.
The TV adverts focus on occupational lung diseases, occupational cancers and musculoskeletal disorders.
NI Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, said: “Work should never come at the expense of health or life.
“Yet each year, many people continue to develop serious, life-changing conditions because workplace risks are not always identified or managed effectively.
“Tragically, more than 300 people are estimated to die annually from work related illnesses.
“Thousands more experience health problems linked to their jobs, with an annual cost of more than £390m to our society.”
Dr Archibald added: “This campaign highlights the importance of recognising and addressing workplace health risks.
“By encouraging open conversation and greater awareness we can help ensure that good jobs support both safety and wellbeing, strengthening our workforce, communities and the economy.”
Robert Kidd, CEO of HSENI, said he hoped the adverts would make employers and workers more aware of health risks at work.
Kidd said: “We are urging employers of every size to actively engage with this Workplace Health Campaign and make full use of the guidance and support HSENI provides, QR codes for information are also readily available.
“Too often, serious ill health develops because risks are not identified or adequately controlled – yet prevention is always better than cure, and simple, practical changes at work can prevent lifelong harm and dramatically improve quality of life.
“Everyone has the legal right to return home with their health protected, not just their safety.”
Kidd added: “With this advertising initiative we hope we can reach more employers, share clear and practical guidance, and drive real, lasting improvements in preventing work-related ill health.
“No one should get ill as a result of a job choice. The legal requirement to protect health in the workplace is the same as safety.
“Our message is simple – look again at the risks to health within your workplace, use the guidance available from the campaign pages to manage it and most importantly act today!”
He said: “Delaying action only puts people’s health at risk—and that is avoidable.”
