Unipart has won its highest number of safety accolades ever this year when seven prestigious British Safety Council Swords of Honour were awarded to the manufacturing, logistics and consultancy group based in Oxford. It brings Unipart’s total to over 25 swords of honour over the past few years – one of only a handful of companies that share that achievement.
In addition to the Swords of Honour, Unipart was one of only six organisations worldwide presented with a British Safety Council Globe of Honour, which is awarded to organisations that have demonstrated excellence in environmental management.
This is the fourth year in a row that Unipart has won both awards for excellence in Health and Safety and Environmental Management. Last year Unipart won six Swords of Honour and one Globe of Honour making it one of only four companies in the world to achieve such a result.
In 2015, the British Safety Council received nearly 80 submissions for the safety awards which require recipients to undergo a rigorous assessment. All seven Unipart applications made for the Sword of Honour in 2015 have been successful.
Swords for 2015 were awarded to the following Unipart sites:
Unipart Logistics Cowley
Unipart Aftermarket Logistics Baginton A
Unipart Aftermarket Logistics Honeybourne
UTL Baginton B
UTL Nuneaton
UTL Waterstones
UTL Weedon
In order to compete for the Sword of Honour, Unipart first had to achieve the maximum five stars in the British Safety Council’s health and management audit scheme in the period from August 2014 – July 2015. Unipart sites have also demonstrated to an independent panel of experts that they are excellent in their health and safety throughout the business – from the shop floor to the boardroom.
Unipart’s team-based problem solving programme, Our Contribution Counts Circles, has been recognised as a major contributor to the company’s safety record as well as increases in productivity.
Problem solving circles, conducted by teams enable employees to identify and address improvements required. Employees also identify areas in which accidents might happen –‘near miss situations’ — which are then addressed through process changes, safety briefs, campaigns and training packages to continuously improve health and safety.
Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council, said: “All of the Sword and Globe winning organisations share a commitment and resolve to achieve the highest standards of health, safety and/or environmental management. We are delighted that they are partners in helping achieve our vision that no one should be injured or made ill at work.”