Workplace safety milestone with Mayo launch of Live for Lorcan initiative

ELECTRIC Skyline has marked a major milestone in workplace safety with the successful launch of Live for Lorcan, a new behavioural safety initiative created in memory of Mayo man Lorcan Deasy, who tragically lost his life in a workplace accident in 2018.

The event took place on Friday at the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, and brought together national leaders, industry partners, Electric Skyline staff and members of the Deasy family in a united call for stronger safety culture across Ireland.

Guests included Alan Dillon, Minister of State for Small Business and Retail and the Circular Economy, Mark Cullen, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, and Sean Downey, Director of Health and Safety, Education, Training and Skills at the Construction Industry Federation. Representatives from across the construction and electrical sectors also attended.

The origins of the Live for Lorcan initiative can be traced back to Electric Skyline’s Company Day in Limerick in June 2024, where Lorcan’s mother, Marian Deasy, delivered a deeply moving talk about her son’s life and the impact of losing him. Her words had a profound effect on the workforce.

Immediately afterwards, Electric Skyline managing director Sean Corcoran said: “If we all heard that story every morning there would never be a workplace accident again.”

That thought became the foundation for what would grow into the Live for Lorcan initiative.

Live for Lorcan represents a new direction in Electric Skyline’s safety culture. The initiative focuses on the behavioural and psychological factors that influence everyday decisions, recognising that most workplace accidents stem not from poor procedures but from human choices.

At the heart of the initiative is Marian Deasy, who now serves as Electric Skyline’s first Safety Ambassador. Her story will be shared with all new employees through induction training and through regular Toolbox Talks.

A unique Live for Lorcan symbol, created using Marian’s handwriting and Lorcan’s own signature, will now appear across workwear, vehicles, signage and digital platforms, acting as a daily reminder of the human impact behind every safety decision.

During her address, Marian Deasy said: “When you lose someone you love to a workplace accident your world changes forever. My hope is that by sharing Lorcan’s story others will stop and think before taking a shortcut or a risk. If even one person makes a safer choice because of this initiative then it has already made a difference.”

Managing director Sean Corcoran added: “Live for Lorcan brings safety back to where it belongs, at a very human level. Rules and systems work only when people believe in them. This initiative is about building that belief. We want this message to reach far beyond Electric Skyline and inspire companies across Ireland to think differently about safety.”

Minister Dillon said: “It was an honour to have the opportunity to speak at the official launch of Live for Lorcan. I have no doubt that this important initiative will help to shape attitudes, influence culture and, overall, help save lives. I would like to thank Marian Deasy for her exceptional courage and for allowing Lorcan’s story to continue to make a difference.”

Also speaking at the event, Mark Cullen, CEO of the Health and Safety Authority, said: “We know and understand the key triggers leading to fatalities and serious injuries. In particular, working at height and working with machinery account for the majority of work-related deaths. What’s required is a genuine safety culture in all workplaces and I firmly believe that the ripple effect of the Live for Lorcan initiative will be immense.”

Sean Downey Director of Safety, Education and Training at CIF, highlighted the ongoing dangers faced in the construction sector, stating: “Falls from height continue to be the biggest cause of deaths in the construction sector. Every fall is preventable if the right systems of work and control measures have been put in place. We hope that the legacy of Lorcan lived through Marian’s important advocacy work will bring this critical risk to the front of everyone’s mind.”

Live for Lorcan is a behavioural safety initiative created by Electric Skyline in partnership with the Deasy family. Its aim is to strengthen workplace safety culture by connecting safe decision making with emotional awareness and shared responsibility. The initiative is designed to be adopted by organisations across Ireland who want to place human connection at the centre of their safety practices.