Celebrating 25 years in business, Dominic O’Connor Ltd marked the milestone with a double success at the 33rd National Irish Safety Organisation / Northern Ireland Safety Group (NISO / NISG) All-Ireland Occupational Safety Awards which took place in the Great Southern Hotel, Killarney on October 11 last.
Established in 1999, Dominic O’Connor Ltd has cultivated a strong reputation as a premier provider of specialised commercial and industrial engineering services within the construction industry. The company’s impressive portfolio features involvement in prestigious projects spanning intricate steam, water, gases, ventilation, specialist hygienic systems along with heating and cooling systems.
Over the past five years, the company has experienced sustainable growth, achieving a remarkable 20% increase in turnover annually since 2019. The growth can be attributed to management’s strategic emphasis on meeting the evolved needs of commercial and industrial clients, while simultaneously expanding our services to offer a comprehensive solution for projects associated with decarbonisation initiatives. The highly experienced and dedicated workforce at Dominic O’Connor Ltd is integral to the accomplishments the company has achieved.
The company has been a perennial winner at the prestigious awards and this year took home Higher Distinction and Consistent High Achiever Awards. The double success recognises the Co. Galway-headquartered firm’s unwavering commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of Health & Safety in the workplace.
“Our dedication and commitment to nurturing our core value – safety – has been recognised with the awarding of the Higher Distinction Award, accompanied by Consistent High Achiever Award, for 2024,” Dominic O’Connor Ltd EHS Manager Oneasa McMorrow says.
“The acceptance of both awards underlines our commitment to continually improving Health & Safety within our company, employees, subcontractors and work practices. The NISO Awards are always very competitive and help to keep us focused on Health & Safety. Every year, we look forward to compiling the submission for NISO to assess what we do across all the sectors we are involved in.
“Safety is our number one objective. It’s instilled in us. A company is only as good as its employees and staff. We have over 150 employees and many more subcontractors on top of that. We all lean on each other and work as a team. Dominic O’Connor (Managing Director) knows each and every staff member personally which shows you the sort of company we are.
“Every accolade we win is cherished and is all down to our amazing team. We have a ‘Wall of Fame’ in the office which is a focal point for senior management and staff to always strive to be the best and to aim for the highest standards.”
Dominic O’Connor Ltd has invested both financially and through resources to be the benchmark for Health & Safety. The development, implementation and cultivating of the safety culture and Health & Safety Management System is detailed and derived from accreditation ISO 45001. This is one of the company’s biggest achievements considering the growth and expansion it has accomplished in recent years.
The established Health & Management System has also been adapted to reflect the company’s new role of Project Supervisor Construction Stage (PSCS), most notably on Pathfinder Energy Upgrade projects. In addition, Dominic O’Connor Ltd is accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. These standards provide the basis for its commitment to continuous improvement.
The NISO / NISG Awards were established in 1992 with just 20 entries and have grown to become Ireland’s premier safety awards. The Awards scheme recognises achievement in Health & Safety Management Systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement. The Awards are also a way of auditing company’s Health & Safety Management Systems and finding out how well they’re performing against other companies within the construction sector.
To achieve a NISO Health & Safety Award, companies have to submit information and examples of how Health & Safety is managed on a day-to-day basis in the following areas: Health & Safety Management, Hazard Identification & Risk Management, Implementation and Operation of Health & Safety Policies and Procedures, Health & Safety Communication and Consultation, Proactive Health & Safety Management, Occupational Health & Hygiene, Workplace Health & Wellbeing, Health & Safety Training, Reactive Health & Safety Management, Emergency Preparedness and Response, and Work-Related Vehicle Safety, including Driving for Work.
Founded in Loughrea, Co. Galway in 1999 by Dominic O’Connor and trading as a limited company since 2002, Dominic O’Connor Ltd has earned an enviable reputation for providing specialist commercial and industrial engineering services to the building industry. It has grown into one of the largest mechanical engineering companies in Ireland.
Over the years, Dominic O’Connor Ltd has delivered numerous prestigious projects involving complex mechanical systems and has established an eminent maintenance division specialising in a full range of mechanical services nationwide. The company’s vast inhouse experience covers a wide range of mechanical systems such as HVAC, processed / gas pipe installations, medical and compressed air, chilled steam and LPHW systems, while also keeping up-to-date on the latest building management and renewable energy systems.
Across all aspects of the industry, the company has experience in both design and installation, and is able to undertake complete management of any project, from initial planning and estimation through to project completion. It has become a respected and experienced provider of building services throughout the country.
As well as working on new build projects, the Co. Galway company’s highly-skilled team provides a full array of mechanical services to existing live buildings such as healthcare and clean room facilities, pharmaceutical plants, hotels and commercial buildings. The maintenance division offers a 24/7 peace of mind works service which incorporates all aspects of mechanical maintenance and servicing of equipment such as oil and gas boilers, pumps, chiller units, CHP plant and controls covering the full range of mechanical services.
Staff are continually trained and upskilled to ensure they can implement the latest methods to improve plant efficiency, resulting in substantial savings on running costs to clients. The company’s people are an integral part of its development, while also making it an enjoyable workplace.
Dominic O’Connor Ltd would like to take this opportunity to thank its clients, consultant engineers and suppliers for their continued support as well as its staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Here’s to the next 25 years of this multi award-winning business!
Dominic O’Connor Ltd
Head Office
Eastpoint Business Park,
Dublin Road,
Loughrea,
Co. Galway,
H62 Y880.
Telephone: +353 91 880340
Email: [email protected]
Cork Office
Mainline Place,
Sarsfield Road,
Cork,
T12 DY80.
Telephone: +353 21 2038658
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.doconnor.ie
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, March 2025, Vol 11 No 3
