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News release

21 November 2011 - NR 60/11

Event to mark role of health and safety planning in accident prevention

The importance of health and safety planning to prevent accidents and ill-health in the workplace will be explored at an event in Cork on Wednesday (23 November).

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Ireland Branch Southern District’s 16th annual conference, ‘Foreseeable and Preventable’, will give an insight into the value of proactive planning and the cost of inadequate preparation.

Opened by Health and Safety Authority (HSA) chief executive Martin O’Halloran and chaired by Rosemary Ryan, risk manager with Irish Public Bodies, the event will be useful for both employers and employees within the public services and regulatory authorities. It also has relevance for others across a variety of sectors from large organisations, to medium and small enterprises.

IOSH Southern District chair Mary Ryan said: “Most disasters, mishaps and accidents in the workplace can be prevented through proper preparation which builds health and safety into its core. We’ve designed this conference to help people make sure they protect their business – the people, finances and physical buildings - by preparing for events, new procedures, or organisational change in a planned and logical fashion.

“Not only does proper health and safety planning prevent injuries and ill-health at work, it’s a vital way of clawing back savings, implementing procedures and preparing for events in a more efficient way, which will in turn prevent spending waste and costly lost-time due to absences.”

The day’s programme features a session from Paul Foran, managing director of OHSS – a leading safety consultancy service in Ireland – on the importance of training in difficult economic times. Health and Safety Services (HSS) managing director Kieran Linehan will also touch upon health and safety training in construction, while Dr Martin Hogan, a consultant occupational health advisor for the HSA is covering the challenges and positives of an ageing workforce.

Amongst other speakers are Eli Lilly occupational hygienist Louise Loughran, HSA inspector Mark Rowlands and Safe T Cert’s Dermot Carey.

For more information, please visit www.iosh.co.uk and go to the Southern District section of the Ireland Branch website. To book a place contact Caroline Neville at 0 (+353) 86 275 1479 or email caroline.neville@hotmail.com.

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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.