RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
January 6, 2005
RoSPA LAUNCHES ITS BIGGEST EVER SAFETY AWARDS PROGRAMME FOR 2005
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is aiming to make 2005 a record-breaking year for its Occupational Health and Safety Awards.
Now in their 49th year, the number of entries continues to grow, with 1,100 winners last year. The organisers are now inviting entries from workplaces throughout the UK – no matter how large or small. Both private and public sector organisations have an equal chance of winning these prestigious awards as do ‘first time’ entries.
The awards focus on all sectors of employment, including education, service industries, national defence, oil, gas and water, research, electronics and textiles.
One of the aims of the programme is to increase entry levels from specific sectors, which include: transport, warehousing and distribution; construction; offices; food and drink plus hotels, restaurants and catering.
New this year are separate awards for managing work-related road safety, which are aimed at any organisation with a fleet of vehicles. These are a part of the campaign to manage occupational road risk, as between 800 and 1,000 deaths on Britain’s road each year are work related.
John Howard, RoSPA Chief Executive said: “The awards are about reducing the number of accidents and cases of ill health at work, as well as creating a ‘safety first’ state of mind among employers and employees. This year we want to encourage more small and medium sized businesses to enter as they have the same opportunity as multi-national organisations.”
Sponsorship for the programme has again come from RMC Group plc, the world’s leading supplier of ready mixed concrete and a leading producer of aggregates, concrete products and other construction materials. Special emphasis will, as usual, be placed on drawing entries from RMC’s own industry - quarrying, building products and general construction trades.
Mike Ogden, Chief Operating Officer of RMC UK said: “We are delighted to sponsor these prestigious awards in 2005. Health and Safety must remain a priority in the industry and should always come before production. All of us deserve to go home in one piece at the end of a working day. We are committed to meet the Hard Target pledge set in the industry in 2000 and aim to halve reportable injury accidents by 2005.”
Over half of last year’s winners had previously submitted entries to the programme but there is a growing number of ‘first timers’. Awards to be won range from Merit, Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates to Sector awards and the ultimate accolade, the Sir George Earle Trophy.
Presentations to the winners will be made at two special award days alongside the Safety and Health Expo exhibition and RoSPA’s Occupational Health and Safety Congress at the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham, on May 18 and 19. Some presentations will be made in September at the RoSPA Scotland event in Glasgow. For a brochure and entry details please contact David Rawlins, Awards Manager, or Jackie Bradley at RoSPA on 0121 248 2000, fax: 0121 248 2001, email:drawlins@rospa.com, or see www.rospa.com/awards. The closing date is February 28, 2005, but it is advisable to obtain entry forms early.
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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