Commitment to workplace health and safety awarded

British Safety Council announces International Safety Award sector winners and health and safety champions

Lynda Armstrong OBE, Chair of Trustees, and Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, announced the names of the organisations that were judged best in sector at the 2016 International Safety Awards Gala Dinner, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on 6 May 2016.

The names of the individual winners of the Health and Safety Champion and Young Health and Safety Champion were also revealed.

Congratulating all the winners of the 2016 International Safety Awards, Lynda Armstrong said: “We are here tonight to celebrate the achievements of 444 winning organisations from across the globe. All of them have demonstrated to our panel of judges their commitment to keeping their employees healthy and safe.

“Our awards have a number of important roles to play. First and foremost, they recognise the achievements of the thousands of people who have contributed to your success. They also help to publicise, here and across the globe, the tangible benefits that sensible and proportionate risk management has to play in preventing ill health and injury in the workplace. In a world that is full of criticism regarding health and safety, it is good to celebrate and applaud the benefits of getting it right.”

Now in their fourth year, the Health and Safety Champion and Young Health and Safety Champion Awards recognise individual commitment to health and safety. They were introduced to recognise individuals, who, through their passion, commitment and dedication, have helped make a difference by keeping their colleagues and others healthy and safe.

The Health and Safety Champion award went to David Thomson of CAN Group – Aberdeen, whilst the highly commended award in this category was presented to Greg Abernethy of ISS Facilities Services – Security – Aintree Hospital.

The winner of the Young Health and Safety Champion award was Ben Ealey-Newman, Cobham Antenna Systems (Marlow), whilst the highly commended award was presented to Ryan Paris of Vroon Offshore Services – Aberdeen.

Those International Safety Award winning organisations that were considered by the panel of judges as outstanding in their respective sectors were honoured with the Sector Awards. This year, the Sector Awards went to the following companies:

Construction and Property Services – Bachy Soletanche Limited – Burscough

Financial, IT, legal, scientific, technical services and media – Babcock Communications Media Services – Wyvil Court

Hospitality and catering – Whittlebury Hall and Spa Ltd

Manufacturing – Texas Instruments (UK) Ltd – GFAB, Greenock

Oil, gas, mining and quarrying – Bahrain National Gas Company – AL SAKHIR 985

Power and utilities – Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd – Dounreay

Transport, distribution and storage – Delhi International Airport Limited

Local Government, Defence and Public Services – Plymouth Community Homes – Plumer House

Education – Kingston University.

In their closing remarks, Lynda Armstrong and Mike Robinson referred to the forthcoming 60th anniversary of the British Safety Council. “Next year, we will be celebrating our diamond jubilee. Our 2017 gala dinner will be an opportunity for you to join with us in celebrating this achievement. It will also be a chance to reflect on the immense improvements that have been made in preventing injury and ill health over that time. And we have made progress. You, our members and award winners, have been key in delivering such significant improvements over the past 60 years.”