Longford County Council wins Health and Safety Excellence Award- Public Sector

Award recognises excellent health and safety standards across the organisation

Press Release: Monday, 11 May 2026

Longford County Council has been announced as the overall winner of the Public Sector category of the Health and Safety Excellence Awards at a special ceremony which was held recently in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin on Thursday, 20 April 2026. It is the fourth consecutive year for Longford County Council to win this prestigious award and is testament to the excellent reputation of health and safety culture within the organisation.
The Health and Safety Excellence Awards by Business River recognises outstanding achievements in health and safety practices across Ireland. 
Longford County Council uses several initiatives to implement workplace health and safety. The council has an impressive reputation in the Health and Safety Excellence Awards having also won the Public Sector category in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as well as being nominated for the overall Grand Prix award in 2023, 2025 and again in 2026. Longford County Council was one of five finalists along with Clare County Council, Irish Blood Transfusion Services, Rehab Group and Tusla in the Public Sector category in the 2026 awards.
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 a “positive safety culture cascades from the top down through the layers of the organisation.”
The audit report also found that Longford County Council was "very proactive in continuously improving their safety management processes" through various programmes including safety committee meetings, investment in a new fleet of lorries and new fleet asset maintenance software, removal of digital divide for outdoor staff and lone work apps for income collection staff. The NSAI audit also found that fire stations were maintained to an extremely high standard while it was also noted that through the Business Skills Training, Personal Development Process and various health and well-being initiatives, Longford County Council "has demonstrated that employees are seen as the organisation's greatest asset."
Longford County Council was also shortlisted in the Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category in this year’s Health and Safety Excellence Awards.
Speaking in relation to the recent award, Longford County Council, Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr Niall Gannon said, “A safe workplace supports better public services. This award recognises the effort staff make across Longford County Council to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the communities they serve. It is a result the whole organisation can be proud of. It was lovely to be part of this celebration, and I want to extend heartfelt congratulations to all.” 
Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon said, “The council is committed to promoting a culture of upholding excellent health and safety standards across the organisation. This is the fourth consecutive year for Longford County Council to win the Public Sector category in these prestigious awards which is testament to that ongoing culture of health and safety. I commend all employees for their efforts in fostering and maintaining a healthy and safe working environment.”