The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) hopes to offer reduced insurance premiums to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The scheme forms part of the authority's 1998 National Workplace Safety Programme.

The HSA will introduce a pilot scheme in co-operation with the Waterford City Enterprise Board. Under the scheme, companies which are awarded a certificate of competence in workplace safety and which undertake to abide by HSA regulations will be eligible for the reduced premiums.