Longford County Council shortlisted for the Health and Safety Excellence Awards 2025

Nominated in the Public Sector and Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year categories

Press Release: Monday, 7 April 2025 

Longford County Council is proud to confirm it has been shortlisted for two awards at the upcoming Health and Safety Excellence Awards 2025: the Health and Safety Excellence Award - Public Sector category and the Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category. 

The Health and Safety Excellence Awards by BusinessRiver recognises outstanding achievements in health and safety practices across Ireland. This year's awards take place on Thursday, 17 April in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. 

Longford County Council uses several initiatives to implement workplace health and safety. The council has a strong track record in the Health and Safety Excellence Awards having won the Public Sector category in 2023 and 2024 as well as being nominated for the overall Grand Prix award in 2023. Longford County Council, Bord na Móna, Derrinlough Wind Farm and Uisce Éireann are the three finalists in the Public Sector category in the 2025 awards. 

The council has also been shortlisted in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category in recognition of several impactful initiatives it runs within the organisation to promote positive mental health and wellbeing among employees. These initiatives include programmes such as health screening, 'Couch to 5k Running Challenge, Winter Flu Vaccinations, Staff Appreciation Day, and a Retired Employee Christmas Party. 

The programmes also supported the National No Smoking Day, National Day of Reading, Pride Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month through information sessions and sharing of materials. 

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Casey said, "Health and Safety is one of the key objectives in Longford County Council's Corporate Plan. The council has continuously demonstrated a commitment to health and safety by chairing safety meetings, being involved in the audit process, conducting safety inspections, leading by example, and promoting a positive health and safety culture. Indeed, a recent audit report from the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) reported Longford County Council's safety culture as a strength. The auditors pointed out that 'positive safety culture cascades from the top down through the layers of the organisation.' It is fantastic to see this work being recognised by the Health and Safety Excellence Awards 2025."

Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, "In Longford, a focus on mental health and wellbeing is central to workplace safety and this is prioritised by the council. The work of both our Health and Safety team and the Health and Wellbeing team has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the organisation as a whole and on each employee, it is great to have this work recognised nationally with these awards."