Nothern Ireland Minister Commends Health And Safety

The Minister in charge of Northern Ireland’s Justice System commended the work of health and safety organisations in Northern Ireland at an event in Belfast earlier this month (Tuesday 13 March 2012).

Northern Ireland Minister of Justice David Ford praised the work of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) at the IOSH Northern Ireland Branch Conference 2012.

When asked about the importance of occupational health and safety, Mr Ford said:

“I think it clearly is an important job, frequently underrated. We know unfortunately that there will always be some cases that go wrong, but we also need to support those that are working to keep things as right as they can be. And we need ensure that we get not just the policies right on the paper, but that they are carried out in practice on the ground.”

Nearly 250 business leaders and safety professionals from across Northern Ireland gathered at the conference at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, Belfast, to grasp an understanding of how the criminal and civil courts operate in Northern Ireland when dealing with accidents in the workplace.

Kieran Robinson, chair of IOSH’s Northern Ireland Branch, said:

“Occupational health and safety is a must in any organisation or business. During 2010/11 Northern Ireland saw 12 fatalities in the workplace – this number is 12 too many. Investing in realistic health and safety and a healthy workplace environment, can seriously help business productivity.

Business leaders and safety professionals, who have attended today’s event will have an insight into what it’s like to undergo investigation, should a fatality or serious accident ever happen in their place of work. It will hopefully have given people a reality check.”

The event ‘Judgment day for health and safety’ presented delegates with a mock trial following a workplace accident. Former Northern Ireland High Court Judge Sir John Pringle played the role of the Judge at the event.

Louis Burns, head of the HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, said:

“It’s vital that businesses understand the ramifications of when health and safety goes wrong. But it’s more important they realise that through sensible management of health and safety and corporate responsibility, organisations can easily avoid the penalties and pitfalls associated with health and safety breaches.”

As well as Minister David Ford, other speakers at the event included Louis Burns, head of the HSENI’s Major Investigation Team, Laura Cameron, partner at McGrigors Solicitors and Ken Logan, principal health and safety inspector at the HSE Northern Ireland.

Source: SHP On-line

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