Looking back at the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2026, Iarnród Éireann was recognised with the Mental Health and Well-being Initiative of the Year award during the ceremony held on 30th April at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry. The recognition reflected the organisation's sustained commitment to employee wellbeing and highlighted the growing role of occupational health and safety in creating resilient workplaces across Ireland.

Mental health has become an increasingly important part of workplace health and safety, particularly in organisations where employees face demanding operational environments. For Iarnród Éireann, wellbeing is not treated as a standalone programme but as an integral part of its wider Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which aims to embed both physical and psychological health throughout the organisation. By recognising that a strong safety culture depends on healthy, supported employees, the company has broadened the conversation around health and safety to include the everyday experiences that shape workforce resilience.

The initiative combined visible leadership support with practical measures designed to reach employees across every part of the business. Peer support networks, specialist partnerships and targeted training equipped staff with the knowledge and confidence to respond to challenging situations, including exposure to traumatic incidents. High participation across the organisation, including employees working night shifts, demonstrated that the programme had become embedded within day-to-day operations rather than existing as a separate wellbeing campaign. This emphasis on engagement reinforces the close relationship between employee wellbeing, occupational health and effective safety management.

The programme's impact reflects a broader shift taking place across Irish health and safety, where organisations increasingly recognise that protecting workers extends beyond physical hazards. Investing in workplace wellbeing strengthens risk management by supporting employees before challenges escalate, while creating environments where people feel empowered to seek support and contribute to safer workplaces. As expectations continue to evolve across sectors, initiatives that integrate mental wellbeing into wider workplace standards are becoming an essential element of long-term organisational performance.

Recognition in the Mental Health and Well-being Initiative of the Year category acknowledges more than a successful programme. It highlights an organisational approach that demonstrates how safety leadership can foster lasting cultural change by placing people at the centre of workplace health and safety. By embedding wellbeing into everyday practice, Iarnród Éireann has shown how organisations can strengthen both employee support and overall organisational resilience.

Stay tuned for the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2027 cycle, where organisations from across Ireland will once again have the opportunity to showcase achievements in health and safety excellence.

View the full winners list and explore this year's award categories at www.hsawards.ie/shortlist and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed on future award cycles and industry news.