HSE formalises safety partnership with British Sugar

Date:

9 July 2010

Release No:

HSE-E-20

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today formalised a longstanding partnership with British Sugar aimed at reducing accident and ill-health risks in the workplace.

David Ashton, HSE's Director of Field Operations signed a memorandum of understanding with Gino De Jaegher, Managing Director of British Sugar UK & Ireland at one of the company's processing plants in Wissington, Norfolk.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in the partnership between HSE and British Sugar UK and recognises improvements to the company's safety performance over the last five years.

Tony Ellingford, Gino De Jaegher and David Ashton

In it, HSE agrees to support British Sugar UK in its pledge to continue to develop proportionate and sensible risk control systems and to improve its health and safety performance. And British Sugar UK commits to championing the drive to improve workplace protections by striving to be an exemplar in occupational health and safety.

The signing was supported by both the GMB and Unite Unions on behalf of employees.

David Ashton, HSE's Director of Field Operations said:

"British Sugar has put considerable effort into making improvements to its health and safety performance over the last five years - and the results clearly demonstrate how uniting employers and employees together can create safer and healthier workplaces.

When we launched the health and safety strategy last year, we made it clear that everyone has role from the board room to the shop floor. It's encouraging to see a major British employer taking this on board and working so hard and with such good results to reduce workplace risks."

Gino De Jaegher, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, British Sugar commented:

"I am extremely proud of British Sugar being recognised by the Health and Safety Executive today. Health and safety is of critical importance to our business and our people, and supports our vision to eliminate all injuries by thinking safety first in everything we do".

Eddie Scoggins, HSE Principal Inspector added:

"Health and safety performance at British Sugar has improved beyond all recognition. Today marks an important milestone - and we are looking forward to continue working constructively with the company in the coming months and years."

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk.
2. British Sugar has achieved recognition from RoSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) including most recently the Order of Distinction across a number of sites. The company was also awarded a 2009 DuPont Safety Award within the innovative approach category for its company-wide personal safety initiative known as 'Safety Performance Discussions'. Further information can be found at www.britishsugar.com.

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Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by COI News & PR East