Safety Culture in the News

Safety Culture in the News

Poor safety culture at Limerick rowing club ‘a contributory factor’ in incident which left girl (12) with life-changing injuries – report

www.independent.ie/irish-new…

THE poor safety culture at a Limerick rowing club was a contributory factor in an incident that led to a 12-year-old girl suffering life-changing injuries, an investigation has found.

Amy Mulcahy became trapped under a rowing boat after it capsized on the River Shannon in February 2019.

The brave schoolgirl defied the odds to survive. She has since been described by her mother Sharon as her “miracle princess”.

A report by the Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) said contributory and causative factors for the incident extended beyond the decisions of the coaches on the day “to the higher levels of club culture” and the ethos of the sport’s governing body, Rowing Ireland.

It said the absence of a viable safety culture within Athlunkard Boat Club in Limerick and its “complacent and hands-off” attitude towards safety during activities on the river contributed to the incident. The collective inexperience of the young crew was also a risk and contributory factor.