The accolade achieved the first time entering means the company is recognised as a world leader in health and safety practice. In a second triumph, O.C.O has also been named winner of the RoSPA International Dilmun Environmental Award (sponsored by GPIC) for demonstrating excellence in environmental and health and safety management.
A thrilled Lee Thompson, O.C.O’s health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ) manager, said: “We are extremely proud and honoured to be the recipient of two such important awards, and the win is all the more special because it was the first time we had entered.
“There were three key components to our winning gold entry – making sure we had robust management systems and the right culture in place to achieve excellence in health and safety; having the commitment from the directors to make any necessary changes; and the buy-in from all our employees – which has been tremendous.
“The support everyone within the business has shown for health and safety has been excellent, and that has now been recognised by the RoSPA judges.”
Since joining the company three years ago, Lee, together with Health & Safety Assistant Christine Oddy, has driven forward some changes, including overseeing the transition from OHSAS 18001 to the new internationally-recognised occupational health and safety ISO 450001 standard.
For the environmental award, the team had to demonstrate ways in which the business manages its environmental risks; including how it mitigates its carbon footprint and helps other organisations to achieve carbon savings by diverting Air Pollution Control residue (APCr) waste from landfill and recycling it to create the world’s first carbon-negative aggregate.
In addition, practical measures at O.C.O’s three operations in Leeds, Avonmouth and Brandon in Suffolk have included introducing electric cars to the fleet and appointing energy champions to each location.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition, O.C.O Technology joins like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide that represent the very best in their health and safety approach.
“I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”
Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.
The awards will be presented at a gala dinner and awards ceremony in London on 17 May.
