Minerals and support services company Hargreaves Services plc is delighted to announce that no fewer than five of its operating sites in the UK have been awarded the British Safety Council’s ‘Sword of Honour’ for the year 2008, in recognition of the company’s outstanding health and safety performance.
The ‘Sword of Honour’ is the most prestigious international health and safety accolade that a company can receive; inaugurated in 1979, each year sees just 40 swords awarded worldwide. By definition, the winners can be assured that they are elite organisations, boasting first class health and safety regimes that are outstanding examples of best practice.
Four of the five Swords of Honour won by the Hargreaves Group relate to sites operated by the company’s Industrial Services division: at Longannet power station near Fife; Eggborough power station in Yorkshire; Liverpool Bulk Terminal; and the company’s bulk warehousing site at North Killingholme, near Immingham.
The fifth sword of honour awarded to Hargreaves was to the company’s Production division at Maltby Colliery in Yorkshire.
Company representatives recently attended a gala presentation event in London to receive their swords and heard the British Safety Council’s chief executive Brian Nimick say: “Each winner of the Sword of Honour has demonstrated that in addition to ensuring extremely high standards of health and safety in the workplace, they have also considered how their business impacts on others.”
Brian Nimick wasn’t alone in his praise for the winners. The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown added: “I send my congratulations to all of those organisations being presented with a Sword of Honour by the British Safety Council. These awards recognise the crucial success that they and their employees have achieved in their pursuit of excellence in the management of health, safety and environmental matters.”
Greg Kelley, Managing Director of Hargreaves Industrial Services division said: “This is a major milestone, building on the successes we have enjoyed previously. It shows the investment and hard work that every employee has put in to create a truly safe working environment has been worthwhile. Through dedication and buy-in across the company, we have integrated safe, sound and sustainable working practices which are adopted by all.
“We feel our safety record gives us a competitive edge and I am confident the award will have a positive effect on our business”.
Gerry Huitson, Managing Director of Hargreaves Production Division added:
“It is a tremendous achievement and reward for everyone at Maltby Colliery, who have all played their part in the implementation of heath and safety management systems that prioritise the health, safety and welfare of our employees in a very difficult working environment”.
