The 2019 John Gordon Safety Person of the Year 'Highly Commended' Award Winner

The standard of entries this year was so high that for the first time we awarded a ‘highly commended’ winner.

For those unfamiliar with the Award, which is submitted by an organisation’s safety professional celebrates the individual (not a Safety Professional) who has made the greatest contribution to health and safety in their workplace.

The highly commended award (submitted by Michael Purkess, SHEQ Manager of Farrans Construction) was won by Malachy Osborne, a Site Forman in their Utilities Division.

Malachy won because of an action he took on a construction project in East Belfast.

On a Connswater project, there was a requirement for works along the Cregagh Road. Although a pedestrian walkway was set up, the road narrowed toward the end and became dangerous, especially for schoolchildren who were walking on the roadside of the barriers in live traffic. Thanks to Mal’s intervention, this was highlighted to the SHEQ department who liaised with Road Service and the job was halted until the problem was resolved.

Actions like Mal’s are worth both highlighting and celebrating as it shows what safety is all about.

We encourage entries to the John Gordon Award (which is open to all) and further details on how to enter someone for the Award can be found on our website.

Main Photo - Malachy with NI Safety Group Vice Chair Ashleigh Birkett