Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has published an expanded edition of its Health, Safety and Well-Being Guide, introducing updated workplace guidance aimed at strengthening safety standards, employee wellbeing and regulatory compliance across Ireland's thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

According to Thoroughbred Daily News, the 2026 edition builds on the original guide released in 2022 and includes enhanced operational guidance, additional worker welfare measures and expanded compliance resources for employers, employees and industry stakeholders.

The updated publication is designed to support safer working environments across racing yards, breeding operations and other equine workplaces by providing practical guidance on meeting health and safety responsibilities. It also encourages the adoption of best practices that help reduce workplace risks while promoting consistent safety standards throughout the industry.

A key focus of the revised guide is the continued development of a proactive safety culture. Rather than treating health and safety solely as a regulatory requirement, the guidance promotes an approach centred on prevention, accountability and continuous improvement, recognising that effective risk management depends on ongoing engagement from both employers and workers.

The publication forms part of wider efforts to strengthen workplace wellbeing alongside operational safety. By combining practical health and safety guidance with broader employee welfare measures, the updated resource reflects the growing emphasis organisations are placing on creating safer, more supportive working environments across physically demanding industries.

The initiative also received support from the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, highlighting the importance of maintaining high standards of worker and animal welfare within Ireland's racing and breeding sector.

For health and safety professionals, the updated guide demonstrates how industry-specific guidance continues to evolve beyond legislative compliance to support day-to-day operational practices. Tailored resources that address sector-specific risks can help employers improve consistency, strengthen workforce awareness and reinforce a culture where health, safety and wellbeing are integrated into everyday operations.

The revised guidance reinforces Horse Racing Ireland's ongoing commitment to supporting safer workplaces while encouraging continuous improvement in health and safety management across one of Ireland's most significant equine industries.