Top award for Irish health and safety hero

20 October 2009

Ireland will mark European Health and Safety Week 2009 (19-23 October) by honouring its 'Safety Person of the Year'.

The Ireland branch of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) will present its highest award at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel, on Tuesday 20 October (11.00am), to Herbert Mulligan, founder and editor of leading Irish health and safety journal, Health & Safety Review.

Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary, who will be speaking at the presentation, will hand Herbert a fine piece of unique sculptured glass crafted by Cork artist Eoin Turner.

Health & Safety Review, founded by Herbert and IRN Publishing, in 1996, is widely regarded as Ireland’s journal of record for the health and safety industry. A Chartered Member of IOSH, Herbert first became interested in health and safety when studying personnel management. The growing influence of health and safety saw Herbert move into full-time journalism in the late 1980s, writing for Industrial Relations News and, in 1993, publishing a Health and Safety Legislation Handbook.

"Health & Safety Review is widely regarded as Ireland’s leading provider of information in the area of health and safety, providing comprehensive coverage of occupational health and safety and environmental issues as they affect the workplace," said IOSH Ireland Chair, Bruce Phillips.

"IOSH Ireland is therefore delighted to recognise the man who launched and nurtured this pioneering and influential publication, as well as his tireless efforts championing our profession on the lecturing and speaking circuit," added Bruce.

A keen reader, Herbert is also a lifelong supporter of Sligo Rovers.