Unsung heroes saved man from petrol attack

TWO work colleagues from Lucan have been awarded for saving a council worker who had petrol poured over him as his attacker tried to set him alight.

Alik Avestian and Moses Ale were among 90 workers honoured for their dedication in the 2014 Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Awards.

The two brave ISS security personnel thwarted the violent assault in the course of their roles at a local authority facility in Blanchardstown last year.

Alik, who is from Armenia originally, and Moses who is Nigerian, were praised for their professionalism in a very dangerous situation.

Petrol was thrown on council property and on a member of the council staff in Blanchardstown, which the attacker then attempted to ignite.

“This was an extremely dangerous situation and the professional and courageous actions of Alik and Moses helped to prevent serious injury or a potential fatality,

? the men’s GEM Award nomination reads.

“Their quick thinking and reaction to an escalating situation kept all staff safe during this episode.

?

The GEM Awards recognise the valuable contribution of employees involved in workplace supports such as cleaning, catering, security and property services.

They were presented to the winners last week by ISS, a major provider of outsourced business services.

Silver Olympic medal winner, boxer Kenny Egan, who introduced this year’s GEM Awards for ISS, said that people like Alik and Moses who work in essential support services are generally the unsung heroes of the workplace.

“Their efficiency can sometimes go unnoticed, but without them the business could not function,

? he stated.

Award nominations are made by the client businesses in conjunction with work supervisors, and this year almost 100 ISS workers were honoured, out of over 3,500 people who work for the out-sourcing company.

“Jobs like cleaning, catering, security and maintenance are essential in the modern workplace, and it is exceptional to see a company like ISS pay tribute to these valuable employees in this way,

? Kenny said at the gala awards presentation.

The award-winners work in many of the country’s leading businesses and healthcare and education facilities, including Boston Scientific Musgrave Group, Irish Rail, UCD, Premier Inn Hotels, the Houses of the Oireachtas and many others.

Presenting the awards at a gala event in the Osprey Hotel in Naas, County Kildare, ISS managing director Eric Doyle said the award winners play a crucial role in creating effective, efficient, safe and secure environments.

“We take enormous pride in the work ISS employees carry out to ensure that the facilities operated by our teams deliver the best possible environment for these businesses and organisations, as well as for their customers, users, and staff,

? Mr Doyle said.

“The fact that many of these roles are carried out outside of office hours, or not based in the main working area, can mean that they get overlooked, thus the creation of the ISS GEM Awards to recognise outstanding effort and commitment.

?

Another Southside winner Gerry Hennessey, from Rathfarnham, impressed the awards panel with his high level of performance and work attitude.

Gerry, who is married with four children and works as a mobile technician based out of ISS Head office in Citywest, travels all around the country as part of the Mobile Team servicing various contracts within the ISS Integrated Solutions Division.