STEWART Milne Group has announced the firm has secured its 12th Royal Society of Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Award for health and safety performance.
The most recent accolade presents the business with its third RoSPA President Award, which recognised sustained achievement each year after nine Golds.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Stewart Milne’s HSE specialists adapted policies to create compliant workplaces across its sites.
Group HSEQ director, Greg Johnston, said, “We’re thrilled to have achieved our 12th consecutive RoSPA Gold Award and third Presidents Award, especially during a year which has seen such extreme change from a health and safety perspective for all business activity. As testing as the situation has been, Covid-19 has been an intense reminder of how important HSE procedures are.”
The housebuilder used the initial lockdown period, when construction was suspended, to establish a senior team to lead the return to work when guidelines allowed. The team focused on creating new protocols, risk assessments and staff communication methods, including training videos. Alongside regular contact from the organisation’s HSE team, a Covid-19 monitor was appointed at each development.
Mr Johnston added, “As restrictions eased, we introduced a phased return and Covid-19 inductions were, and continue to be, carried out on-site. Communication with staff was just as important as implementing the new practices. It was vital the staff felt safe to work, so we made sure workers and visitors had access to as much information as possible, clearly outlining who to contact if they had any concerns.
“This award is a testament to the team at Stewart Milne Group, who have been dedicated to making sure the construction industry can continue to operate in the safest possible way during an incredibly difficult time for businesses and individuals.”
