Palletline, the UK’s leading palletised freight distribution company, has received a double accolade in this year’s RoSPA Workplace Safety and Health Awards.
The Birmingham based company has not only received Commended in the Transport, Storage & Distribution Industry Sector but its Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager Ken Bell has received the coveted Health & Safety Influencer Award in recognition of his campaign to drive down workplace accidents and work-related stress by instilling a culture of health and safety awareness among colleagues.
It is the 10th year running the company has received the accolade in recognition of its continued high standards of health and safety practice within the workplace. In their closing comments the judges described Palletline’s entry as: “A comprehensive and well supported entry that demonstrates senior commitment to maintaining high health, safety and welfare standards and well deserving of the grade achieved.”
The RoSPA Awards scheme is highly prestigious, receiving entries from organisations around the world and recognising achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.
The Industry Sector Awards provide an opportunity to benchmark a company’s overall performance against other similar organisations. These industry sector awards are competitive and in each sector, there will normally be one overall winner, followed by a “highly commended” and “commended”.
To achieve a Commended award Palletline had to meet an exacting set of criteria. Experts looked at the company’s accident records and the health and safety managements systems in place. Strong leadership and workforce involvement also forms a strong part of the RoSPA award.
Both Palletline and Ken ticked all the boxes. For the past 15 years Ken has been the driving force behind its exemplary health and safety policies through which Palletline has not only become an industry leader in health and safety, but he also shares his unique skill set with members of the Association of Pallet Networks (APN).
Palletline’s robust measures have led to an enviable RIDDOR record (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations) with well over 1,000 incident-free days on Ken’s watch (check). Palletline has also achieved ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 and 50001 accreditations with no non-conformances.
A qualified health and safety auditor to 45001, Ken also conducts regular audits to ensure compliance, instigates discussion amongst colleagues to ensure health and safety is top of mind and has recently introduced a mental health first aid course as well as a champion system, ensuring workers on shift have a dedicated, trained colleague to turn to when they are feeling overwhelmed.
Since these measures were introduced, staff absenteeism through work-related stress has been eliminated from Palletline.
Ken Bell commented: “To achieve Commended in these prestigious awards is just fantastic and I am particularly proud to have received the Health & Safety Influencer Award.
However, it is not something I could have achieved on my own. Health and safety is a culture and one which is always at the forefront of our minds and has become an integral part of the work ethic we aim to instil in each and every one of our employees.
“And not one to rest on our laurels we will continue to strive for even greater recognition next year.”
Graham Leitch, Managing Director of Palletline, said: “We are delighted to have been once again recognised in this year’s RoSPA awards. “We pride ourselves on creating safe working environments for our employees and members. These latest RoSPA awards are recognition of our ongoing commitment to health and safety and are also testament to Ken’s continued professionalism and dedication to reducing risk and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of each and every one of his colleagues.
“He is a worthy winner.”