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Ireland

Conference to be told safety is still ‘work in progress’

Health and safety professionals from across Ireland will be coming together next week for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Southern District’s 14^th annual conference.

The conference, which takes place at the Rochestown Park Hotel, in Cork, on 18 November features a range of topical presentations on current hot health and safety topics. Speakers will address issues including protecting vulnerable workers, workplace transport, safety training, fire safety and drug testing.

Opening the conference will be the chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) Martin O’Halloran, who will be telling attendees about current HSA activities and initiatives. The conference will be chaired by Tony Briscoe, a former head of IBEC’s occupational health and safety service who has worked in health and safety for more than 20 years.

Other speakers include:

Peter Rimmer, freelance editor, writer and communications consultant
Lorraine Munnelly, Road Safety Authority
Frances Murray, assistant chief fire officer, Cork County Fire Department
John O’Sullivan, managing director, Claymon Laboratories
A speaker from the National Employment Rights Authority

Norita Robinson, IOSH’s Ireland development manager, said: “This year’s conference takes the theme ‘work in progress’, and that’s very much what health and safety in this country. We’ve seen signs of improvement, but there’s still a long way to go before we get to where health and safety in Ireland should be.

“The Southern District conference is a great opportunity for anyone with health and safety responsibilities in their workplace to find out about the latest best practice. It’s a chance for businesses in the Cork area to attend a major event on their doorstep that will help increase their health and safety knowledge, and help them keep their workers safe and healthy.”

In 2008, 57 workers were killed in Irish workplaces. As at the beginning of November, 35 workers have died at work in Ireland so far in 2009.

Details:

Tickets for the event cost €100 for IOSH members and €140 for non members. To book your place, please email iosh@iol.ie or contact Mary Ryan on +353 (0)87 299 6014.

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 35,000 members in 85 countries, we’re the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation. We set standards, and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people. IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status. www.iosh.co.uk
In Ireland, IOSH has around 1900 members, with five local districts representing different geographic regions (Eastern, Western, North Western, Southern and South Eastern). The branch was founded in 1981 with just a handful of members.