Firms can face €3m fines under new safety laws
Drug-testing of staff and on-the-spot fines could also be introduced but only after consultation with employers and unions, according to the laws unveiled yesterday.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) will also run a 'name and shame' registry of rogue firms.
The new Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, which replaces 16-year-old legislation, comes into force in September.
Signing the order yesterday, Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen said: "This Act will be a serious wake-up call to employers who don't do enough to prevent accidents at their places of employment.
"Workers also have a duty not to endanger themselves or others and to be alert to dangerous situations."
Workplace deaths have dropped by 25% since 1989 when the labour force was almost half of what it is now. However, 50 people were still killed in 2004 and 34 so far this year.
"Up to one half of the small employers in this country do little or certainly not enough to ensure a safe workplace," said Mr Killeen.
The most common causes of accidents are slips, trips and falls at work and lifting habits which result in back injuries.
"Tidy workplaces cost little. Training in safe lifting posture is available and supervision is important," he added.
HSA chief executive officer Tom Beegan said the legislation was dynamic, modern and very timely.
"I believe strongly that the level of fines and penalties should reflect the gravity which society attaches to breaches of law, particularly those which result in death or injury."
The HSA will begin holding information seminars next month to make the new laws user-friendly to employers and workers.
Minister Killeen said: "This is an important step in the direction of the public's right to know."
The Act allows employers to drug test employees but this won't be enforced until after consultation.
Employees who are sacked or penalised for breaches of health and safety guidelines can appeal to a Rights Commissioner for redress.
