Longford County Council wins at the annual All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards 2026

Winner of the Regional Award and an Exceptional High Achiever Award

Press Release: Thursday, 22 October 2026

Longford County Council has been announced as the winner of the Regional Award (Midlands) and an Exceptional High Achiever Award at the Annual All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards 2026.

Longford County Council received the prestigious awards at the 35th Annual NISO All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards, held at the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney, on Friday, 09 October.
These awards celebrate outstanding health and safety workplace standards. Longford County Council has consistently been recognised as a top performer at these awards, with award wins every year since first entering in 2014.
The awards ceremony is run by the National Irish Safety Organisation (NISO) in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISG). 
Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Gerry Hagan said, “These awards reflect the commitment shown every day by staff across Longford County Council to creating a safe and healthy workplace. Maintaining such high standards year after year takes teamwork, attention to detail and a shared responsibility for one another's wellbeing. I congratulate everyone involved in achieving this excellent result. Winning both the Regional Award and an Exceptional High Achiever Award is a remarkable endorsement of Longford County Council’s unwavering commitment to workplace safety.”
Longford County Council Chief Executive Samantha Healy added, “Achieving these awards is the result of sustained effort across every section of Longford County Council. Strong leadership, staff engagement and a commitment to continuous improvement have helped create a workplace where safety is a daily priority. We are proud to see that commitment recognised at a national level. I thank our staff for their continued focus on creating a safe, healthy working environment, year after year.” 
Longford County Council Health and Safety Officer Theresa McCabe said, “These awards are a valuable recognition of the dedication and commitment shown by staff across Longford County Council in continually strengthening and improving our health and safety management system over recent years. It is extremely encouraging to see the positive impact of our collective efforts being acknowledged. The recognition reflects the strong safety culture that has been developed across the organisation and reinforces our commitment to ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone who works for or engages with the Council.
“As a local authority, we provide a diverse range of services to communities across the county, many of which involve complex operations and varying levels of risk. Protecting our employees, contractors, service users and members of the public remains a key priority, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety in all aspects of our work.
“The continued support and leadership demonstrated by senior management has been a significant factor in our success. Health and safety remains a standing agenda item at monthly management meetings, while senior managers actively participate in inspections, audits and site visits across all departments. This visible leadership helps ensure that health and safety remain embedded in decision-making and daily operations across the organisation.”