WORLD SAFETY ‘FIRST’ FOR WILTON INTERNATIONAL

Workers at Wilton International have been celebrating after the site became the first of its kind to be awarded one of the highest health and safety accolades in the world.

Each year around 200 of the world’s safest companies and organisations are eligible to apply for the Sword of Honour, but only 40 awards are granted.

Conferred by the British Safety Council (BSC), the sword is widely regarded as perhaps the global pinnacle of achievement when it comes to the management of workplace health and safety matters.

Now, Wilton International has become the first multi-company site in the world to gain the prestigious gold sword since its inception 26 years ago. The sword, which symbolises that the owners are safe enough to be trusted with such an item, will be proudly displayed at the site visitors’ reception.

The seven main companies at Wilton International submitted a joint application in September following earlier high-level BSC recognition and have achieved the accolade at the first attempt.

Felix O’Hare, representing the seven, said: “We’re absolutely delighted. It’s a marvelous achievement and a great honour for everyone associated with Wilton International. It means we can say with total justification that the site is one of the safest places in the world to work.

“A massive amount of hard work goes into ensuring that the safety of our employees, contractors and the surrounding community is at the forefront of everyone’s mind and remains our absolute top priority”

To be eligible, companies had to already have undertaken the British Safety Council Five Star Health and Safety Audit and obtained the highest level – five stars.

Wilton International first received ‘five star’ status in 2003 following an in depth BSC audit of the operations of the seven companies – ADVANSA, Dow, Huntsman, INVISTA, Sembcorp Utilities UK, pxlimited and Uniqema. The site was successfully reaccredited with five stars earlier this year.

To gain the sword, a company or a group of companies must have demonstrated competence in managing health and safety risks and successfully promoted a safety ‘culture’ throughout the organisation, from the directors to operational staff.

Judges scrutinized key areas of health and safety management and looked for solid evidence of positive safety behavior, the existence and implementation of robust control systems and detailed information gathering on accidents and near misses over a three-year period.

A delegation from Wilton International attended a special ceremony at the Goldsmiths Hall in London to collect the sword.

In a message to the event organisers, the Prime Minster praised all the winners.

He said: ”These awards recognise the success of these organisations and their employees in their pursuit of excellence in the management of health, safety and environmental matters.”

The picture shows Felix O’Hare (left) receiving the award from David Ballard, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council.