International Timber, the UK’s leading supplier and importer of sustainable timber, has been awarded a Gold Award at the 2012 RoSPA Occupational Health & Safety Awards.
This outstanding achievement is testament to the hard work of the entire workforce, which has actively embraced safe working practices following an internal communication campaign that was initiated by International Timber’s UK safety manager Jon Cornforth.
The award was given for the complete health and safety programme run, but this year International Timber expanded the programme of activity by introducing a health and safety roadshow for the first time. It toured all seven of the company’s locations in the UK so all 330 employees, including all levels of management, could participate in the training and gain a stronger understanding of the importance of working safely. It was also designed to encourage teamwork between the office and operations staff and communicate the company’s vision for Health and Safety over the next few years.
The sessions were interactive and included quiz-based activity, the screening of the ‘Safety the Meerkat Way’ DVD, an ISO18001 awareness overview, an overview of the Health and Safety plans for International Timber and finally a team building activity. All the activities were designed to bring together the employees and create a bond which encourages them to look after each other while at work.
Being part of the Saint-Gobain Group, International Timber takes health and safety very seriously with all employees undergoing regular training to ensure they are aware of any legislative changes and to prevent complacency creeping in. All Saint-Gobain companies must also organise an awareness day on a two yearly basis but International Timber insists this takes place annually.
Managing director for International Timber, Tony Miles commented: “It’s an honour to receive this award. Obtaining the Gold Award has been achieved through the dedication of all our employees. We are committed to keeping this standard and, with Jon at the Health and Safety helm, I am confident we will.”