Minutes of the 138th meeting of the board of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland held on Thursday 29 January 2026 in the T&R room, Ladas Drive, at 10.00am.
Present
Board members:
Mrs C Irwin - Chair
Mr S McDowell
Mrs S Rooney
Dr P Hart
Ms C Scott
Mr D Nichol
HSENI officials
Mr R Kidd - Chief Executive
Mr K Neeson - Deputy Chief Executive
Mrs N Monson - Deputy Chief Executive
Mr L Burns - Deputy Chief Executive
Dr B Monson - Deputy Chief Executive
Ms L Nelson - HSENI - Minutes
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished all a happy new year.
1. Apologies
Mr G Strong
Mr M Ditchfield
2. Corporate health, safety and welfare
The Chief Executive stated that there were no issues to report.
3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest(s)
No conflicts of interest were reported.
4. Minutes
The minutes of the Board meeting held on 23 October 2025 were agreed and adopted.
Matters arising and agreed actions
Mr McDowell asked how ARAC feeds into the annual satisfaction survey from the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO). It was agreed that the ARAC Chair would be involved in completion of the NIAO annual satisfaction survey, and the annual survey would become a standing item on the agenda at the January ARAC meeting.
Action: The ARAC Chair to be involved in the NIAO Satisfaction Survey the Survey will be added to the Board Schedule of Business as a standing item on the agenda at the January ARAC meeting.
5. Decisions taken by HSENI Board outside of formal board meetings
The Chair stated that this paper was to formally record decisions taken by the HSENI Board outside of formal board meetings. The Board formally recorded the decision to agree to increase the spend on the Older Farmers Campaign by £30,000 up to £120,000.
6.(A) Audit and Risk Assurance Committee report
The ARAC Chair, Mr McDowell, provided a verbal update from the ARAC meeting on 15 January 2026, highlighting the following points as outlined in board paper HSENI/04/2026: External Audit; Internal Audit; Audit Recommendations Update; Risk register; Items for ARAC review; and Cyber Security. A copy of the draft minutes of the January ARAC was provided in board paper HSENI/04/2026.
The Board noted the ARAC report.
6.(B) Cyber Security
The Chair reminded the Board that this paper was based on a set of questions developed from Board Cyber Awareness training and that it provides a record and assurance that the Board has reviewed and is aware of the Cyber Security risk carried by the organisation.
Mr McDowell stated that Cyber Security is now on the risk register but that it is not the only risk on the register and needs dealt with proportionately alongside the other risks. The Chair agreed with Mr McDowell.
Mr Burns reported that in the event of a cyber attack which affected HSENI’s Case Management System (CMS), IT Assist would assist with the restoration of items, databases from backups onto customer servers for their system and the current CMS supplier (ITS) would then check / carry out any configurations needed to ensure that the HSENI CMS was working correctly again for the client to use.
In the event of a cyber attack on the current CMS, there is an estimated cost for a Cyber Incident Response Plan (CIRP) of £20k - £30k which is not part of the existing contract. As HSENI is coming to the end of the current contract, it is not considered a good use of public funds to commission a CIRP at this stage in the contract. A CIRP will form part of the new CMS contract. HSENI proposes to accept the residual risk of the cost associated with engaging the current supplier in the event of an attack due to the forthcoming replacement of the CMS. A discussion took place, Mr McDowell confirmed that the risk was discussed at length at the January ARAC meeting and that the ARAC recommends that HSENI accepts the residual risk. On that basis, the Board agreed to endorse the acceptance of the residual risk.
Mrs Rooney thanked staff for the document and the work carried out on Cyber Security.
The Chair asked where this document will reside. Mr Burns stated that he will include the document as an appendix in the Board Handbook.
The Chair asked that an update on Cyber Security is provided periodically and that staff should propose some metrics. After discussion it was agreed to include Cyber Security on the ARAC update report.
The Board agreed to accept the residual risk and noted the document.
Action: Cyber Security to be included in the ARAC update report.
Action: Staff to propose appropriate Cyber Risk metrics to include in the periodic report.
Action: Cyber Security document to be included as an appendix in the Board Handbook.
7.(A) Update on Annual Report and Accounts (ARA) 2024/2025
The Chief Executive reported that the ARA was at the printers and should be available within a few weeks.
The Board noted the update on the ARA.
7.(B) Report on the Annual Report and Accounts 2024/2025 Irregularity and Lessons Learned
Mr McDowell thanked Mr Burns for the paper and stated that the paper showed learning for the organisation. It was a difficult problem at the time and feedback should be provided to NIAO on the lessons HSENI has learned.
The Chair thanked Mr Burns for the thorough report, stating it was very factual and it was useful to have the document to address any future queries. Mr Burns noted the assistance of Mrs Mullan in preparing the report.
The Board noted the report on the Annual Report and Accounts 24/25 Irregularity and Lessons Learned.
8. Chief Executive’s Report
Mr McDowell asked for feedback from the Partnership meeting on 11 November 2025. The Chief Executive reported that it was a standard agenda. There was a presentation delivered on the Department’s Corporate Plan and a presentation from the Department’s Head of Communications on how Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) align with the Department.
Mr Nichol asked for feedback on the Farm Safety Partner (FSP) Older Farmers Campaign. Dr Monson reported that radio and TV adverts were launched in January. The FSP Older Farmers Campaign was officially launched on 15 January 2026 with key stakeholders in attendance along with 30 older farmers. UTV and RTE were also in attendance and Dr Monson is in negotiations with BBC at present to produce an article on the Campaign. Alongside the TV/radio adverts, the Campaign is also being promoted by placing posters in Farming Marts, advertorials and via social media.
Mr Nichol thanked Dr Monson for the feedback, stating that there was good collaboration between agencies. Dr Monson reported that he is meeting with HSEN’s counterparts in HSA to discuss the campaign on older farmers and that he has been contacted by colleagues in New Zealand to discuss the Older Farmers Campaign. The Chair and Dr Hart both agreed the campaign is very visible with the posters and TV adverts.
The Chief Executive thanked Board members for their support in the Occupational Health Campaign and attendance at the Roadshows, stating that there was very good engagement with Council officials at the Roadshows.
The Board noted the Chief Executive’s report.
9. Finance Report
Mr Burns reported that the finance paper sets out the chronology of finance this year. The key issue is reprofiling of salaries into programme. The programme spend at 31 December was 35%. This will accelerate in quarter 4 with media spend. At the end of quarter 3 total spend was 69%. The predicted final outturn is an underspend of £69,000 or 0.8% but we will try and use the budget to the full as far as it is possible.
Mr McDowell stated that HSENI has not come within tolerance for the last four years, with three years resulting in an underspend and one year in an overspend. He said HSENI should come within tolerance. The Chief Executive provided Mr McDowell with an explanation for each year, stating that the amount of money each year was minimal.
A discussion took place on the three year budget with no capacity to carry money forward. Dr Hart was content to see how close HSENI gets to the tolerance and stated that HSENI always uses surplus money very carefully. Mr McDowell complemented the finance report by stating that the budget management internal audit received no recommendations. HSENI received a cut in its budget at start of the financial year and reported a £69,000 underspend at year end due mainly to unfilled or delayed filling of vacancies.
The Chair stated that, at the away day, the Board will have more discussions on the budget priorities and opportunities to prepare for the fluctuations in managing the budget.
The Board noted the Finance Report.
10. Legislation report
Mr Nichol asked if the Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 would be made in this financial year. Mr Burns confirmed they would and agreed to provide Board members with an update on these Regulations.
Mr Burns highlighted to the Board an issue in relation to The Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 (S.R. 2026 No.9). In December the Executive Committee approved the Regulations and referred them back to the Economy Committee. In January the Economy Committee narrowly approved making these Regulations by one vote. If the Committee voted against making the Regulations this would place HSENI in a legal situation not previously encountered. Two more sets of Regulations have to go through the same process.
The Board noted the Legislation report.
Action: Mr Burns to provide an update on the Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 to Board members.
11. Strategic Review of the Operating Environment since the publication of the Corporate Plan (2023-2028) for consideration in the development of the 2026-2027 Operating Plan
The Chief Executive provided an update on the Minister’s Economic Vision and Good Jobs Initiative. It is a challenging time and HSENI needs to decide if it is possible to carry out three campaigns over the five years of the Corporate Plan.
The Chair reminded the Board that this was their opportunity to understand the current operating environment and what may have changed since the development of the last Corporate Plan, and to provide strategic input to the organisation for the development of the next Operating Plan.
Mr McDowell stated that the Board had helped set the Corporate Plan targets and these are published annually. He queried the line:
‘HSENI will prioritise statutory compliance and high-impact interventions while managing outputs through a diminishing task line.’ And asked how SMT processes outputs through a diminishing task line.
The Chair reminded the Board of the discussion we had a few meetings previously related to the budget and how the SMT had made decisions on what work would proceed, and that we also have a session tabled on this in our forthcoming Away Day. The Chair also noted that the targets set in the Corporate Plan, which were developed mindful of a full staff complement, will be retained, even though we know we are not going to achieve them. Mrs Rooney stated that we need to keep the perspective of higher targets so we can understand what could be achieved on a full staff complement.
There was a discussion on the importance of the work on Occupational Health, given the significant contribution it could make to the economy, health and welfare of workers, and in support of the Minister’s Economic Plan.
Mr Neeson stated that in terms of the organisation, we need to go back and look at why the organisation exists fundamentally. HSENI’s work supports the Minister’s Economic Plan and the 4 pillars. Health has the same footing as Safety and we must not lose focus.
The Board agreed that the paper provided a strong foundation for the development of the next Operating Plan, which will come to the Board in the next meeting for approval.
12. Board effectiveness
Board Handbook
The Chair reported that a new chapter has been included as part of the Board Effectiveness Review: all the rest of the chapters were previously reviewed by the Board. Chapter 13 relates to how to make the Board more effective for the good of the organisation.
Mr Burns stated that every chapter will be marked as adopted today 29.01.26 (version1) Mr Burns stated that it has to be decided where to keep the Board Handbook. After discussion it was agreed to produce a Board MS Teams space and place the Board Handbook there so everyone could have access to it.
The Chair thanked Mr Burns for his work on the Board Handbook. Mr McDowell stated it was a very valuable piece of work, and this was endorsed by Mrs Rooney. Mr Burns acknowledged the assistance given by the Chair and Mrs Mullan in compiling the Board handbook.
The Board approved the Board Handbook.
The Board approved the HSENI Board Standing Orders.
The Board approved the ARAC Terms of Reference.
Action: A Board MS Teams space to be produced to accommodate the Board Handbook.
Annual / Triennial Reviews
Nothing discussed.
Non-Board activities
Mr Burns reported that there are no upcoming events but Board Members will be informed if any become available.
13. Items for Board approval
HSENI Risk Management Policy
Mr Burns provided an update on the process of changes to the HSENI Risk Management Policy and invited the Board to approve the document.
The Board was content to approve the HSENI Risk Management Policy.
The Board approved the HSENI Risk Management Policy.
Draft ‘Foreword’ and draft ‘Performance Overview’ for inclusion in the Annual Report and Accounts 2025/2026
The Board approved the draft ‘Foreword’ and draft ‘Performance Overview’ for the ARA.
Board Handbook
Already discussed under agenda item 12.
Draft Board and Executive Away Day Agenda
The Chair invited comments from Board members on the draft agenda. Ms Scott stated that it puts everything into context. Mr McDowell stated that it was good to see succession planning on the agenda. Mrs Rooney asked for the time of the tour to be amended to immediately after lunch.
The Board agreed with the draft agenda.
14. Any Other Business (AOB)
Evaluation of the Occupational Health Conference
Mrs Rooney stated that it was a good paper reflecting on a successful conference. Mrs Monson reported that they finished with a surplus spend of £1,269.74.
Dr Hart stated there was a lot of work involved with very positive feedback.
Mr McDowell agreed with Dr Hart and stated that HSENI took a risk with the conference and succeeded, adding well done to all.
Mr Nichol stated that he believes staff should be recognised and the work of individuals should be highlighted. The Chief Executive reported that HSENI ran a staff ‘Away Day’ a few years ago and SMT have been looking at running another day for staff this year.
The Chair asked if there was an appetite for more frequent conferences. Mrs Monson stated that there was a lot of appetite. The Chief Executive stated that it would be a challenge to hold a conference every two or three years. He also stated that SMT and HoG’s made very good connections with stakeholders over the two day conference. Mrs Monson reported that her team is arranging a stakeholder event to discuss the end of the Occupational Health Campaign and how stakeholders can continue to promote occupational health.
Dr Monson reported that a lot of time and effort was spent on the conference and HSENI is continually seeking to add new stakeholders. HSENI also contributes to other stakeholder events, for example Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG). Dr Hart asked if there was a stakeholder list. Mrs Monson confirmed that there is a health stakeholder list. The Chief Executive reported that HSENI has connections with Industry and Trade Bodies Mr Nichol reported that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) are very good at getting the message out to workers. The Chair stated that a stakeholder analysis had been suggested during our last Governance training and that the exercise would be worthwhile.
The Chair thanked Mrs Monson for the report.
Mrs Monson provided an update on the Occupational Health Campaign as detailed below:
- TV/radio adverts will run from 9 February 2026 for four weeks
- digital and social media
- Out of Home (OH) - posters
- bus advertising
- photo op with the Minister has taken place and this will be issued along with a press release on the 9 February
- advertorials across health, construction, agriculture and manufacturing sectors
- attending the NICON Exhibition in March, plan to launch an updated statistics booklet and poster
- Genesis has completed pre-campaign research
Revised Board T&S guidance
The Board noted the revised document.
Business case approval for replacement of the CMS
The Chief Executive reported that HSENI needs to secure capital funding for the replacement of the CMS system and a Business Case will need to be approved by the Board ahead of the next Board meeting. The Chief Executive will circulate this to Board members via email and arrange a Teams meeting to discuss the Business Case as it will be in the region of £750,000. The Board agreed with this proposal and the Chair requested that the paperwork is received one week in advance of the Teams meeting.
Action: Chief Executive to arrange a Teams meeting to review the CMS Business case and to circulate the document by email a week prior to the meeting.
Board/SMT Away Day
The Chair requested that times and location of the Away Day is added to the calendar invite.
Action: Ms Nelson to add times and location of the Away Day to the calendar invite.
The Chair asked for feedback on the meeting. Mrs Rooney stated that it was a well chaired, with good participation and a full agenda.
Mr Nichol thanked Ms Nelson for the minutes.
Mr McDowell stated a significant amount of work had been carried out from October 2025 to date and that the meeting reflected this.
The Chair thanked Mr Burns, Mrs Mullan and Ms Nelson for the papers and everyone for their preparation and discussions.
15. Date of next Board meeting
The next Board meeting will be held on Thursday 7 May 2026 at 10:00am.
The meeting ended at 12:45pm.
Board Minutes adopted and approved by Catherine Irwin on 7 May 2026.