Dr Sharon McGuinness, who took over from Martin O’Halloran as CEO of the Health and Safety Authority on 1 July, has been congratulated on her appointment by Minister Pat Breen TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection.

“Dr McGuinness has a proven track record in the health and safety sector with extensive experience in both Ireland and Europe. In addition to being the HSA’s Assistant Chief Executive for several years she has also held the position of Chairperson of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). She brings considerable experience to her new role.”

Prior to joining the HSA, Dr McGuinness worked in government affairs and global chemical regulations for Hewlett-Packard and with the European Chemicals Bureau as a scientific officer in relation to classification and labelling.

In addition, she has held posts in academia and the pharmaceutical sector. She graduated with a BSc. in Pharmacology in 1986 and a PhD in Pharmacology in 1990 and has completed post-doctoral toxicology fellowships at the University of Arizona in Tucson and the American Cyanamid Company in New York.

Minister Breen also thanked Martin O’Halloran on behalf of the Government for his many years of dedicated public service with the Authority. “Martin’s time as CEO coincided with one of Authority’s most successful periods in terms of reduced workplace fatalities and injuries, this was during some of the most turbulent years in this country’s economic history.”