Minister Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen TD, today, Wednesday 25 October launched the IOSH Hibernian Awards in Dublin.
- European Health and Safety Week focuses on need to protect young workers
Minister Labour Affairs, Tony Killeen TD, today, Wednesday 25 October launched the IOSH Hibernian Awards in Dublin. He complimented the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and Hibernian for their commitment to these awards which are now in their fourth year. The awards recognise and reward the efforts of Safety Practitioners and Health & Safety students in helping employers to protect their workers.
Commenting on the awards, Minister Killeen said: “This week is European Health and Safety Week which is dedicated to the occupational safety and health of young people. Young workers currently suffer over a quarter of accidents at work in Ireland. Recent CSO data shows that nearly 16,000 workers between the ages of 15 and 24 were injured in accidents in Ireland in 2004, while six young people died from work related injuries in 2005. Employers must provide a safe place of work. Initiatives like the IOSH Hibernian Awards are of continued importance to ensure Irish businesses and their staff operate in a safe working environment.”
Terry Dinnigan, executive manager marketing and product development, Hibernian, said: “Despite the introduction of the Safety Health and Welfare at Work Act we continue to see significant numbers of notified claims for serious and fatal work-related accidents which suggests that many companies are still taking unnecessary risks. Through this award scheme we are supporting the work of the Health & Safety Authority to reduce the level of accidents in the workplace.”
Chairman of IOSH, Ireland Jim Carrigan, said: "We are delighted to continue the awards programme and our strong link with Hibernian. Occupational Safety and Health always needs innovation, dedication and commitment and we are happy to reward such efforts - preventing accidents and saving lives is a cause worth celebrating and rewarding.”
The IOSH, has over with over 30,000 members worldwide, including more than 8,000 Chartered Safety and Health Practitioners and in excess of 1,500 members in Ireland. Hibernian is Ireland’s leading general insurer insuring one in three Irish motorists, one in five Irish homes and one in four small and medium enterprises in Ireland.
Now in its fourth year, the awards programme recognises excellence in occupational safety and health as well as recognising the potential of students of the subject. The awards will recognise the efforts made by organisations, safety practitioners and students to make the workplace safer for everyone. A prize fund of over €4,000 has been made available for three separate awards categories. Further information is available on www.hibernian.ie or from the IOSH on www.ioshireland.ie
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Notes for editors:
Press contact:
Marie Therese Culligan, 01 617 8164, 087 2367008, marietherese.culligan@hibernian.ie
Notes to editors:
- Hibernian is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions.
- Hibernian is a subsidiary of Aviva plc, the world’s fifth-largest insurance group and the UK’s largest insurance services provider (based on gross worldwide premiums at 31 December 2005), and is one of the leading providers of life and pension products to Europe, with substantial positions in other markets around the world. Aviva employs 58,000 staff worldwide.
- Aviva’s principal business activities are long-term savings, fund management and general insurance, with worldwide total sales of £35 billion and assets under management of £317 billion at 31 December 2005.
- Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie
- IOSH was founded in 1945 and is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that sets professional standards, supports and develops members and provides authoritative advice and guidance on health and safety issues.
- IOSH is formally recognised by the ILO as an international non-governmental organisation.
- Further information is available on www.ioshireland.ie