Wales & West Utilities’ drive to raise the bar on safety and continually improve safety standards has won the gas distribution network a Gold Award at the annual RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2016.
The award scheme is run by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and the gold award was presented to Wales & West Utilities during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, at the National Exhibition Centre.
In its 60th year, RoSPA’s mission is to save lives and reduce injuries covers all ages and stages of life. In support of this mission, the RoSPA Awards recognise commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention at work. Through the scheme, which is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas, judges consider entrants’ overarching occupational health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
The achievement of a gold award for occupational health and safety involves entrants demonstrating an excellent health & safety culture within their organisations. They must show that they take a rigorous approach to keeping their workforce safe and healthy, and have excellent levels of compliance and control measures in place, particularly in relation to the main risks associated with their business sector. Also, they must have below average and reducing rates of ‘near misses’ and accident and work related ill health and associated costs.
Andrew Hopkins, Wales & West Utilities Director of Operations said:
“We are very proud to have been awarded three RoSPA Gold Awards in succession – and it’s a testament to the way we demand safety always for colleagues and customers.
“This is the sixth year that we have entered the RoSPA awards. In 2011, we won the Bronze Award, in 2012 and 2013 we won the Silver Award. In 2014 and 2015 we won the Gold Award and we are very pleased have won it again in 2016. We are always looking for ways to improve safety standards for the public and our workforce and we are proud that our continual improvement in this area has been recognised by RoSPA in the awarding of this gold award, their highest accolade.”
Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said:
“To win an award at such a highly-regarded event as the RoSPA Awards is a great achievement for our winners. It recognises their commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record and raises the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations.
“This year was doubly special for our winners as their achievements were recognised as the RoSPA Awards celebrated its diamond anniversary, which is a ringing endorsement of the thousands of businesses and organisations that have committed to continuous improvement in accident and ill-health prevention.”
Wales & West Utilities, the gas emergency and pipeline service, takes pride in serving Wales and the south west of England. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night.
The company also has a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting plastic pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.