Cuan Mhuire, Ireland’s largest voluntary residential addiction treatment provider, has been named the standout organisation at the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2026, walking away with the prestigious Grand Prix as well as the healthcare category award at a gala ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin.The seventh annual awards, hosted by Colm O’Regan, brought together 349 attendees to celebrate the very best in workplace health and safety across Irish industry and public services. This year’s competition attracted 123 entries across 26 award categories, reflecting the breadth and depth of commitment to safety standards throughout the country.Cuan Mhuire’s Cork centre in Farnanes claimed the healthcare category award for its Proactive Women’s Health Initiative before going on to receive the Grand Prix, the awards scheme’s highest distinction. The programme was singled out by the judging panel for its emphasis on proactive health screening, early intervention and staff wellbeing, with judges describing it as a benchmark not only for the healthcare sector but for employers more broadly.Catherine McKenna, manager at Cuan Mhuire, said: “Health and safety in residential care must move beyond reactive measures to a preventative, equity-focused approach. At Cuan Mhuire Farnanes, this has highlighted how access to basic healthcare is a safety issue for women in recovery. Embedding proactive, trauma-informed interventions can reduce risk and improve outcomes.”Founded in 1966 by Sr Consilio, Cuan Mhuire operates residential centres throughout Ireland, supporting thousands of people each year through addiction treatment and recovery. The award-winning initiative prioritised preventive health measures for staff, particularly those working in demanding residential and clinical environments.Paul O’Shea, chief executive at gold sponsor Ashview Consultants, said the company is proud to support the awards as they recognise the people and teams doing great work across health, safety and risk management. “It is a valuable opportunity to celebrate progress, share good practice and encourage the industry to keep moving forward,” he said.Winners of the Health & Safety Excellence Awards 2026 Karen Hickey, sales & marketing manager at gold sponsor SeaChange, an NFP Company, congratulated all the shortlisted entrants. “Being nominated is a lovely reminder that progress in health and safety is built through everyday choices, not grand gestures,” she stated. “We are especially delighted to see our client partners recognised as winners, celebrating the practical changes that protect people, strengthen culture and make workplaces safer for everyone.”Boston Scientific Clonmel won the team award in the large organisation category. “We are thrilled and delighted with this award,” said senior EHS manager Francise Fenton. “It is fantastic to be up there among one of the top performers.” Jons Civil Engineering also claimed a team award following safety improvements in 2025 including enhanced training, data-driven systems, digital modernisation and strong workforce engagement. Senior EHS manager Norman Keville remarked: “We put in a big effort at tackling accidents and managing safety on our projects and the award is acknowledgment of that.”Longford County Council was presented with the award in the public sector category, with its ISO 45001:2018 certification reflecting a strong commitment to continuous improvement. “This is our fourth consecutive year to win the public sector category, which is testament to the ongoing culture of health and safety,” said council chief executive Paddy Mahon.Greenvolt Next Ireland won the award in the Utilities & Services category, recognised for its programme – Keeping Us Safe, every day in everything we do – programme and work helping organisations decarbonise through safe, engineered solutions. “This achievement is thanks to the dedication of the Greenvolt Next team and the support of our stakeholders,” said Tom Crosbie, head of safety, health and environment.Judging coordinator Victor Hrymak highlighted a broader trend evident across this year’s submissions. “In addition to improving workplace safety for employees, all relevant stakeholders were identified, including customers and the wider community in which the companies operated,” he said. “It was also noted that many of the submissions included productivity improvements arising from the workplace safety initiatives detailed.”Kevin O’Driscoll, director of partnership programmes at awards organiser Business River, commented: “Events like this are made possible through the support of sponsors. We are thankful to our 2026 sponsors, which include Gas Networks Ireland, Ashview Consultants, Amazon, ISS Ireland, HSI Donesafe and NFP. I also want to recognise our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”Awards judgesVictor Hrymak (judging coordinator) – emeritus fellow in environmental health & safety, TU DublinTom Anglim – health and safety manager, Mondelez International (Cadburys)Conor Buggy – associate professor, University College DublinEoin Colleran – head of corporate safety compliance, Irish RailDerval Cumiskey – lecturer, University College DublinShane Dunphy – director, Sensible SafetyEmer Gaffney – education, quality & strategy director, TrainedInAdrian Jackson – managing director, Safety Solutions GroupCaleb Leduc – lecturer in occupational health, University College CorkSandra McGourty – health and safety specialist, PobalBlaithin McGrath – lecturer, Atlantic Technological University – SligoReddy Morley – head of rail safety & occupational health and safety, Transport Infrastructure IrelandSusan O Connor – health and safety divisional lead, SodexoMary O’Doherty – senior health & safety officer, South East Technological UniversityJessica Rigley – principal occupational health & safety manager, BAM IrelandEddie Ronayne – head of safety and wellbeing, Cork County CouncilStephen Rooney – head of HSEQ, SiroLinda Gill Ryan – managing director, Essential Health and Safety Training and Consultancy LtdRay Shelly – managing director, Ardlee ConsultingShareleen Jansen van Vuuren – head of QEHS, Tritech GroupAward winnersHealth & safety excellence awards – grand prix (sponsored by Amazon) Winner: Cuan Mhuire – Proactive Women’s Health InitiativeVassilia Koukouras, senior regional manager, workplace health & safety UK/IE customer fulfillment centers, Amazon, presents the health & safety excellence awards – grand prix award to Catherine McKenna, Cuan Mhuire Health & safety team of the year – largeWinner: Boston Scientific Clonmel – EHS TeamMarcus Mallon, site leader SNN5 Ireland, Amazon, presents the health & safety team of the year – large award to the Boston Scientific Clonmel team Health & safety team of the year Winner: Jons Civil EngineeringSandra McGourty, awards judge, presents the health & safety team of the year award to the Jons Civil Engineering team Health & safety manager of the year Winner: Lisa Hughes – ISS IrelandSandra McGourty, awards judge, presents the health & safety manager of the year award to Lisa Hughes, ISS Ireland Rising star of the yearWinner: Izabela Malnowicz – Primeline GroupMark Moran, account executive, HSI Donesafe, presents the rising star of the year award to Izabela Malnowicz, Primeline Group Health & safety excellence award – facilities management Winner: Aura Holohan GroupKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the health & safety excellence award – facilities management to Gerard Morgan and Dylan Dunleavy, Aura Holohan Group Health & safety excellence award – warehousing Winner: United HardwareKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the health & safety excellence award – warehousing to the United Hardware team Health & safety excellence award – transportWinner: ATC Logistics and TransportLinda O'Shea, health and safety manager, Gas Networks Ireland, presents the health & safety excellence award – transport to the ATC Logistics and Transport team Health & safety excellence award – construction (large organisation) (sponsored by Gas Networks Ireland) Winner: Cairn – Know Your NumbersPaul O'Brien, head of health, safety and quality, Gas Networks Ireland, presents the health & safety excellence award – construction (large organisation) to the Cairn team Health & safety excellence award – construction (sponsored by Ashview Consultants) Winner: Crown – Evolution to Digital SafetyPaul O'Shea, chief executive, Ashview Consultants, presents the health & safety excellence award – construction to Darren Bourke and Randy Leijen, Crown Health & safety excellence award – manufacturing Winner: Boston Scientific Clonmel – ATEX ReadyJustyna Kluska, senior associate director, Ashview Consultants, presents the health & safety excellence award – manufacturing to Katie Farrell and Tony Cross, Boston Scientific Clonmel Health & safety excellence award – food & beverage Winner: Danone Nutricia Wexford – Incident Elimination DMS, Sphera Integration, and Strong Risk Prevention FocusEric Doyle, managing director, ISS Ireland, presents the health & safety excellence award – food & beverage to the Danone Nutricia Wexford team Health & safety excellence award – life sciences (sponsored by ISS Ireland) Winner: AstraZeneca and John Sisk and Sons – Project JoyceLisa Hughes, head of HSEQ, ISS Ireland, presents the health & safety excellence award – life sciences to the AstraZeneca and John Sisk and Sons team Health & safety excellence award – healthcareWinner: Cuan Mhuire – Proactive Women’s Health InitiativeSean Bortolozzo, entries lead, Business River, presents the health & safety excellence award – healthcare to the Cuan Mhuire team Health & safety excellence award – utilities & services Winner: Greenvolt Next IrelandSean Bortolozzo, entries lead, Business River, presents the health & safety excellence award – utilities & services to the Greenvolt Next Ireland team Health & safety excellence award – telecoms & communications (sponsored by HSI Donesafe) Winner: Obelisk Group InternationalShhivansh Kalia, business development representative, HSI Donesafe, presents the health & safety excellence award – telecoms & communications to the Obelisk Group International team Health & safety excellence award – public sector Winner: Longford County CouncilEoin Colleran, awards judge, presents the health & safety excellence award – public sector to the Longford County Council team Health & safety excellence award – tourism & entertainmentWinner: Safe Events Global – Wild Lights at Dublin ZooEoin Colleran, awards judge, presents the health & safety excellence award – tourism & entertainment to Mark Breen, Safe Events Global Health & safety excellence award – retail (sponsored by NFP) Winner: Primark – Operation Christmas TreeKaren Hickey, sales and marketing manager, SeaChange an NFP company, presents the health & safety excellence award – retail to the Primark team Safety culture transformation award – large (sponsored by HSI Donesafe)Winner: Danone Nutricia WexfordMark Moran, account executive, HSI Donesafe, presents the safety culture transformation award – large to the Danone Nutricia Wexford team Safety culture transformation awardWinner: Exertis IrelandKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the safety culture transformation award to the Exertis Ireland team Women in health & safety awardWinner: Lily Rose Murphy-Ownsworth – Jons Civil EngineeringKaren Hickey, sales and marketing manager, SeaChange an NFP company, presents the women in health & safety award to Lily Rose Murphy-Ownsworth, Jons Civil Engineering Excellence in health & safety training awardWinner: Uisce Éireann – Transformational Training StrategyKevin O'Driscoll, director of partnerships programme, Business River, presents the excellence in health & safety training award to the Uisce Éireann team Mental health and well-being initiative of the yearWinner: Iarnród ÉireannVictor Hrymak, awards judging coordinator, presents the mental health and well-being initiative of the year award to Sharon Daly and Pamela Renwick, Iarnród Éireann Best use of technology Winner: Re-Gen Waste – Integrated Technology-led EcosystemVictor Hrymak, awards judging coordinator, presents the best use of technology award to Wesley Jameson and Alison Kean, Re-Gen Waste Innovation in health & safety award Winner: Sorensen Civil Engineering – The Sorensen-Boxcore Digital EcosystemVictor Hrymak, awards judging coordinator, presents the innovation in health & safety award to the Sorensen Civil Engineering team