Health and Safety accolade for Redditch manufacturer

The feat also makes STL one of the first British manufacturers to achieve ISO 45001, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to maintaining a world-class, safe working environment.

The new ISO standard helps organisations by providing a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better, safer working conditions. The process towards compliance was a team effort of STL company secretary Richard Pick, quality mssurance manager Bogdan Dumitru and production manager Paul Booth, as well as external consultants Temple Quality Management Systems.

However, Mr Dumitru emphasised that the key to successful transition was the commitment of all employees: “The journey to ISO 45001 accreditation was very much an employee led approach, placing a significant emphasis on employee participation and consultation.

“Input from staff is essential in order to develop effective ways of protecting our workforce. If people are given the opportunity to participate in shaping safe work systems, particularly by getting involved at the planning stage, they are more likely to identify the reasons for taking a particular action, help find practical solutions, and comply with the end result”.

Company secretary Richard Pick added: “Obtaining the ISO 45001 certification was a direct follow up to the OHSAS 18001 accreditation, which STL already held. Therefore, the transition to ISO45001 took only three to four months, since the backbone of the integrated management systems were already in place.

“We are fortunate at STL to have a talented, loyal workforce. Gaining the accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to maintaining a safe, efficient working environment for the people that we value the most.”

Samuel Taylor www.samueltaylor.co.uk