Specialist Teams At Irwin Mitchell Lend Support To Rory O’Neill

By Rob Dixon

Workplace injury and illness lawyers representing victims seriously injured in incidents at work have welcomed Hazards editor Rory O’Neill’s campaign to become chief executive of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Current chief executive Geoffrey Podger is due to step down from the position in the autumn and Professor O’Neill has compiled a manifesto about his overall views on health and safety, as well as how he would handle being in the position.

Professor O’Neill is widely known by his work on Hazards magazine, but he is also professor of occupational policy research at the University of Stirling.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist workplace injury and illness specialists have said the appointment of Professor O’Neill would be a wise move for the HSE and a positive step for health and safety in the UK as a whole.

Adrian Budgen, national head of asbestos litigation at the law firm, said: “Having enjoyed a close working relationship with Rory, we know that no one is more knowledgeable about the area of health and safety or better equipped to ensure that high standards are enforced.

“His work across the area has been vital in attracting attention to key issues, including the impact of recent changes to health and safety legislation and the huge consequences that accidents at work and industrial illness have on so many lives.

“Rory is undoubtedly the person who can cut through and tackle the many myths which continue to surround health and safety, as well as ultimately demonstrated just why such legislations are vital to keep people safe from harm at work everyday.”

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in relation to Work Injury and Illness Claims