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Arco joins forces with British Safety Council in a drive to improve safety
2
October
2008
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Arco and the British Safety Council have forged a strategic partnership that aims to improve the safety and environmental performance of the UK’s workforce.
The collaboration aligns the UK’s biggest supplier of safety products, equipment and workwear with one of the world’s leading health and safety training organisations. By pooling their extensive resources, the two organisations plan to deliver the best available health, safety and environmental advice, training and safety product to businesses, public sector organisations and some “not for profit” objectives.
With 2.2 million people believed to be suffering from work-related ill-health, 228 people killed at work and 35 million days lost to ill health or workplace injury last year (1), the timely commencement of the partnership coincides with an increased pressure on businesses to improve workplace safety policies and procedures. This is emphasised in the current ‘European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work’, which focuses on risk assessment in 2008-9 and the Corporate Manslaughter Act.
A joint venture to help save lives
The BSC’s Chief Executive, Brian Nimick, said of BSC’s relationship with family-owned business Arco, “We are always looking to work with organisations that share our core values in order to maximise the opportunity of the health and safety agenda. The view we share with Arco is that health and safety is too important. We want to save lives by giving people the skills and tools they need to fulfil a successful and safe working life. When I look back in a year’s time on the progress this partnership has made, I’d like to see a substantial change in attitudes and perceptions of people with regards to health and safety.”
Echoing this view, Thomas Martin, Joint Managing Director of Arco, commented, ”If we want to shape the industry itself, we have got to be exponents of the very best practise. In partnering with the BSC, we hope they will help us further raise our own game to make sure we’re taking a unified approach in sending out the very best message to British industry. This partnership is about two like-minded organisations pushing on an open door. It is not a forced marriage, it is the coming together of two companies that share the same beliefs and interests and want to make a difference.”
Neil Jowsey, Arco’s Sales and Marketing Director, concurred, “The capacity to provide accredited training and auditing in addition to safety advice and product will significantly enhance our service offering to customers. Arco has a long history of keeping people safe at work and we strongly believe in helping to make work a better place for people, whatever industry they may be in. The ethos of the BSC fits very well with that of Arco and we are looking forward to a very successful partnership with them.”
Arco has appointed BSC as its preferred supplier for HS&E training and auditing services, and will shortly be implementing a series of BSC provided NEBOSH certified training courses to underpin the health and safety training of up to 100 Arco people throughout the UK.
About Arco
Arco is the UK’s leading supplier of personal protective equipment, workwear and workplace safety products. As such it is widely recognised as a provider of expert advice, services and safety solutions for businesses in every market sector. Founded in 1884, the Hull-based, 4th generation family business now has over 110,000 customers and an annual turnover in excess of £220m. Through its team of product specialists, its product catalogue and a rapidly expanding 38-strong branch network, Arco offers a world-class range of quality assured, branded and own-brand products, carefully selected from ethically compliant suppliers. Products include personal protective equipment, clothing including front and back-of-house career wear, footwear, gloves, workplace safety and hygiene products. Arco is dedicated to its Corporate Social Responsibility policy and continually demonstrates its support of local business communities and charitable organisations. In 2005, Arco became a member of the BITC Percent Club by donating 1% of pre-tax profits to charities. In 2007, Arco became a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). www.arco.co.uk
About the BSC
Founded in 1957, and operating in over 50 countries, the British Safety Council (BSC) is one of the world’s leading independent authorities on health, safety and environmental sustainability. As a registered charity with a global network of 8,000 members and subscribers, the BSC provides information, audits, expert training and qualifications, all designed to promote a healthier, safer and more sustainable society, and in the longer term, to influence these agendas on the worldwide stage. The BSC is the only organisation to offer the fullest suite of health and safety qualifications, including the NEBOSH National General Certificate and IOSH, IIRSM and IEMA accredited Diploma courses.
www.britishsafetycouncil.co.uk
References:
(1): HSE statistics: 2006/7: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/
(2) European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work: October 20-24: osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/hw2008/about |
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