RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

September 26, 2008
FIRM’S WINNING SAFETY ETHOS GROWN FROM SCOTTISH ROOTS

Global infrastructure development firm Halcrow Group Ltd has won Scotland’s premier award for the prevention of accidents and ill health at work.

The company’s Glasgow-based core health and safety team received the prestigious RoSPA Scotland Trophy at a ceremony in Glasgow last night (September 25). Halcrow was also commended in the Commercial and Business Services Sector of this year’s RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

Halcrow – which was founded in Edinburgh in the 19th century - specialises in the provision of planning, design and management services for transportation, water and power, maritime and property projects. It undertakes commissions in more than 70 countries and has nearly 30 offices in the UK - including in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness - and more than 40 offices elsewhere in the world.

The RoSPA Awards judges were particularly impressed by its arrangements for ensuring the health and safety competence of its workforce. The panel also noted its clear communication of health and safety information, its thorough investigation of incidents to facilitate learning and the high standard of its corporate performance review and reporting.

Nigel Valvona, Halcrow’s Group Health and Safety Director, said: “We are delighted that the judging panel has recognised Halcrow’s commitment to looking after its staff and building safety into our work. We are exceptionally honoured to receive the RoSPA Scotland Trophy, and as an international organisation we will continue to work towards improving and raising health and safety standards globally.”

More than 130 organisations received RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards at the Hilton Glasgow yesterday, including: Greenock-based National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd (commended in the Manufacturing Sector); Doosan Babcock Energy Ltd, of Renfrew (highly commended in the training category and a RoSPA gold award winner); and International Power Global Development Ltd Hub Power Station, of Pakistan (winner of the Electricity Sector).

British Energy Generation Limited – Hunterston B Power Station, located in West Kilbride, was presented with an order of distinction in recognition of 15 consecutive RoSPA gold awards.

The presentations were made by Lord Brougham and Vaux, RoSPA Vice-President, Tom Mullarkey, RoSPA Chief Executive, and Errol Taylor, RoSPA Deputy Chief Executive.

Tom Mullarkey said: “If every business in the UK could put in place the kind of safe and healthy working that award winners such as Halcrow Group Ltd have created, very many tragedies would be avoided and lives saved.”

The RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards, sponsored by NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health), have been running for more than 50 years. Organisations compete for sector awards and specialist trophies, but there are also achievement awards at merit, bronze, silver, gold, gold medal, President’s and order of distinction levels. There were more than 1,500 winners in total this year, with three days of ceremonies also taking place in Birmingham in May.