Trio of safety awards for Northgate
Northgate Vehicle Hire has been commended for its health and safety efforts after winning a prestigious prize for the third year running.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ Occupational Health and Safety Gold Award went to the Darlington-based company in recognition of their continued work towards accident and ill health prevention.
Operating a fleet of more than 60,000 vehicles, Northgate Vehicle Hire won the same award in 2009 after winning the RoSPA’s Occupational Health and Safety Silver Award the year before.
Safety and Environment Manager Colin Gilstin will be presented with the award on 19 May at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel during the Safety & Health Expo 2011, Europe’s leading annual health and safety exhibition.
Tireless
Mr Gilstin said the honour was the result of yet another year of tireless effort towards maintaining the highest levels of health and safety.
“To win a Gold Award for the third consecutive year against extremely strict judging criteria is testimony to the successful implementation of a wide-range of health and safety initiatives to ensure the health and welfare of all of our 2,000+ employees,” Colin commented.
“Northgate Vehicle Hire has shown that it is committed to striving for such continuous improvement and we are delighted to honour it through the presentation of an award,” explained David Rawlins, Awards Manager for the RoSPA.
“RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention deserve recognition.”
Constant communication
One of the measures the Society looked fondly on was Northgate’s decision to issue ‘winter driving packs’ to all 450+ collection and delivery drivers, which included an illuminated warning triangle, ice scraper, torch, first aid kit and vest.
The company also sends employees on courses to equip them with the necessary safety skills and knowledge for their roles.
Mr Gilstin added: “Constant and consistent communication with employees on all health and safety issues is vital. The appointment of regional representatives helps to ensure local level engagement on all health and safety issues.”
Northgate remains the only rental firm to sign up to Roadsafe’s ‘Driving for Better Business’ campaign, which promotes occupational road risk management.
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