As we revisit the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2026, held last 30th April at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Longford County Council's win of the Health & Safety Excellence Award in the Public Sector category stands as a compelling example of what rigorous, continuous occupational health and safety management looks like within a complex, high-risk public sector environment.

Longford County Council operates across an environment that places significant and varied demands on its health and safety systems. With responsibilities spanning employees, contractors, and members of the public across a diverse range of council services and activities, the organisation faces occupational safety challenges that require a safety management approach capable of addressing multiple risk profiles simultaneously. The Council's response has been to build a system that is both structurally robust and continuously improving, achieving certification to ISO 45001:2018 as formal recognition of its commitment to strong corporate governance and the highest standards of occupational health and safety management.

That certification is not merely a credential. ISO 45001:2018 is the internationally recognised standard for occupational health and safety management systems, and achieving it reflects a sustained, organisation-wide commitment to identifying hazards, managing risk, and improving safety performance through structured processes and measurable targets. For a local authority operating in a high-risk environment, it signals the kind of safety leadership that goes beyond compliance and into genuine cultural commitment.

The judging panel was particularly impressed by the breadth and continuity of the Council's safety initiatives. A wide range of programmes and interventions, each supported by clear targets and measurable outcomes, demonstrated a safety management system that does not rely on isolated efforts but on consistent, embedded workplace safety practice across the organisation. The use of visual communication to present safety data and outcomes was also commended, reinforcing how accessible and transparent the Council's approach to safety culture has become.

Irish health and safety practice in the public sector continues to evolve, and Longford County Council's recognition at the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2026 reflects an organisation setting a clear standard for continuous improvement in occupational safety across Ireland's local government sector.

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

View the full list of winners at www.hsawards.ie/shortlist, and subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed on future award cycles and industry news.