International Safety Award sector winners and health and safety champions announced

Lynda Armstrong OBE, Chair of Trustees, and Alex Botha, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, announced the names of the organisations that were judged best in sector at the 2014 International Safety Awards Gala Dinner held at the Grosvenor House in London on 25 April 2014.

The names of the individual winners of the Health and Safety Champion and Young Health and Safety Champion were also announced.

Alex Botha, when congratulating all of the winners of the 2014 International Safety Awards at the Gala Dinner, said: “This evening provides the opportunity for you, your colleagues and your organisation to celebrate your success in winning an International Safety Award and to celebrate the difference you are making and the commitment of you and your people – from many organisations across the globe – in maintaining high standards of health and safety in your workplaces.

“I’d like to commend and encourage you, as you lead your organisations on this complex and challenging journey. Your efforts, our efforts to move closer to that vision, that no one should be injured or made ill at work, will not only save millions of pounds for your companies, but will positively impact the lives of thousands of your people. Our warmest congratulations to you all.”

The British Safety Council again recognised the success of individuals who had demonstrated their commitment and had given their time and effort to caring for and protecting their colleagues. The two awards – the Health and Safety Champion and Young Health and Safety Champion – were introduced to recognise the ‘unsung heroes’ who work with a passion to keep their colleagues safe from harm.

The Health and Safety Champion award went to Gary Parkinson, Project Manager for Clugston Construction of Scunthorpe, for his inspirational, helpful leadership and his encouragement of others to work together safely.

The Young Health and Safety Champion award went to Ben Gordon, aged 19, of BAE Maritime Services, Portsmouth. The judges commended Ben whose commitment and engagement with young apprentices went well beyond the norm, listening to their concerns, identifying solutions and helping produce better and safer working solutions.

The British Safety Council, for the first time bestowed awards on those International Safety Award winning organisations that were considered by the panel of judges to be outstanding in their respective sectors. The 12 sector awards went to:

Charity – The Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge

Construction and property management – Powertech Engineering LLC, Oman

Education, health, housing, local government and public services ­– TTE Training Limited, Ellesmere Port

Energy generation and distribution and utilities ­– Wessex Water Operations, Bath

Financial, IT, legal, scientific and technical services – Telewings Communication Services, India

Food and drink – Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd, Glasgow

Hotel, catering and hospitality – Sodexo Remote Sites (Scotland) Limited, Aberdeen

Manufacturing – Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, Bahrain

Oil, gas and mining – CAN Group, Aberdeen

Onshore major hazards – Kuwait National Petroleum Company, Mina Abdullah Refinery

Transport, distribution and motor trade – Unipart Group Ltd – Unipart Aftermarket Logistics

Wholesale and retail services – Burnt Tree Vehicle Rental Group Ltd, Shrewsbury.