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News release

18 November 2010 - NR 54/10

IOSH call for training and planning ahead for floods

Twelve months on from the devastating Cork floods, a conference has taken place in the city highlighting the need for proactive emergency planning and training for businesses going forward.

The flooding which hit Cork city in November 2009 caused devastation to thousands of people across the region. Today, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in Ireland called for more training for business in the region to help them cope should the disaster strike again.

Mary Ryan, Chair of IOSH’s Southern District Branch, said: “According to forecasts the flooding of Cork has a one in 50 year chance of occurring. This means that people could be faced with having to deal with flooding at least once in their working life-time.

“Going forward, it is important that businesses realise the importance of health and safety training and planning in case this type of natural disaster should ever happen again.

“During flooding there are a large number of issues surrounding health and safety that employers, employees and the general public need to be aware of. These include how to walk safely in a flood, the risk of water borne disease, and manual handling where lifting items off the floor to avoid flood damage maybe necessary. It is vitally important that businesses in the Cork area prepare for the future to help them reduce interruption on business should the event reoccur.”

Organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health’s (IOSH) Ireland Southern District, the event took place at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork.

The one-day conference included seminars from Peter Daly, Chief Emergency Management Officer for the Health Service Executive, on emergency plans in the Cork harbour area, and an in-depth discussion from Dr John Martin, Head of Flood Risk Assessment and Management on the draft Cork flood management plan.

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Notes for editors:

IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 40,000 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.