Ireland Conference 2010
Occupational health - the hidden risks
Sponsored by Fingal County Council
Ireland’s leading health and safety minds converged on
Galway for the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Ireland Branch Conference on 23 June 2010. Focusing on the hidden
risks associated with occupational health, the one-day conference
hosted over 200 delegates from varying backgrounds at the Radisson
Blu Hotel and Spa.
Delegates from large multi-national companies like Aviva, Dell
and AON were joined by representatives from Bord Gáis, the Irish
Prison Service, Garda Síochána, Health and Safety Association and
the Construction Workers Health Trust. Councils throughout Ireland
were well represented including Dublin City, Limerick County,
County Clare and County Cork. Free invitations were offered to
students to give them a valuable insight into this priority area of
health and safety and 20 took up the offer from NUI Galway,
University College Cork, University of Limerick and the Athlone
Institute of Technology.
IOSH’s Ireland Development Manager Norita Robinson summed up the
day;
“This year’s Conference has been a resounding success. The decision
to move to the west coast has really paid off and I’m delighted as
Galway is my home town! Selecting a topic which affects so many
individuals and companies coupled with knowledgeable speakers who
are leaders in their field produced a fantastic day for all the
delegates. The Conference exceeded all targets and all credit to
the organising committee for their hard work.”
Delegates had the opportunity to network and meet many
like-minded professionals while some 24 trade exhibitors were on
display throughout the day to showcase the latest industry
equipment, training and services.
The programme included some interesting speakers from Ireland
and the UK. Professor Ray Agius from the University of Manchester
opened the day by unveiling new research data looking into the
incidence of work-related ill health in Ireland. Vice President of
the Federation of Occupational Health Nurses in Europe Bernie
Jackson highlighted how to deliver the occupational health message
where it matters most – the workplace. David Evans, Chairman of the
IOSH International Group and Managing Director of LINK Associates
International spoke about the business implications of occupational
health before a lively question and answer session about the
morning’s proceedings.
The afternoon session started with an insight into how to
deliver the safety, health and wellbeing message into a difficult
environment – 9000 workers on the Olympic construction site in
London. Ros Seal, Health and Safety Advisor to the Olympic Delivery
Authority showed her holistic approach was working with great
success. Limerick University’s Dr Leonard O’Sullivan put stress in
the spotlight as a major risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders
– one of the highest reasons for absence from work. Caroline Walsh
from the HSA completed the day’s speaking with an informative
session on Chemical Hazard Communication.
Outgoing IOSH Ireland Branch Chairman Bruce Phillips welcomed
the new Chartered members as these are the new rising stars in the
industry – this year’s names include:
Miss Maeve Barry of Port Darlington, Co. Laois
Ms Gemma Carroll of Ramsgate Village, Govey, Co. Wexford
Mr James Kinsella of Lucan, Co. Dublin
Mr Daniel Goulding of Ballyvolane, Cork
Ms Maura Minnock of Oranmore, Galway
Mr Michael Daly of Riverstown, Glanmire, Co. Cork
Mr David Ussher of Lucan, Co. Dublin
Mr Robert Seward of Rathcormac, Co. Cork
IOSH President John Holden brought the curtain down on the
informative and productive day with his closing address.
Michael Brennan, Chairman of the Construction Workers Health
Trust, commented;
“Occupational ill health is grossly neglected
in Ireland as we have no formal government, organisational or
otherwise working to establish the number of people who suffer from
illness related to their occupation and which groups are worst
affected. This Conference was excellent as it focused attention on
important subjects and IOSH had selected some very good speakers to
highlight the issues. IOSH has an important role in the health and
safety industry and long may their good work continue.”
Pictured l to r: Michael Clifford, Chair Eastern District:
Mary Darlington, Chair North Western District: John Holden,
President IOSH: Sarah Hamilton, Networks & International
Director, IOSH: Mary Ryan, Chair, Southern District: Val O’Connor,
Chair Western district.