Bell Group achieve internationally recognised ISO 45001 accreditation

As you know we are a company that strives for success, to be innovative and remain at the forefront of our industry- we are always looking at ways to improve our service delivery.

I am pleased to tell you that we have achieved the internationally recognised ISO 45001 accreditation for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.

This accreditation is a big achievement and one that not many companies have at this early point. A great deal of thanks to Richard Wilks, Tracy Brescia, Sarah Newman, Julie Wilks, Linda Goode, Paul Aitkin and the full Newcastle team, Mike Neile, Christine Wilson, Andy Sykes, Andy Wilson, Ross Tinkler and Sam Wilson in Carlisle for their invaluable input and help in achieving this.

ISO 45001 adds to the requirements of OHAS18001 with an increased focus on risk management and how the health and safety of a company’s workforce may be compromised.

As an International Standard it ensures senior management are actively involved in H&S management, setting targets, monitoring and evaluating H&S performance to provide continuous improvement in the workplace.

We believe this new standard demonstrates our commitment to reducing risks, protecting our workforce and retaining a safe working environment for all, sitting alongside and supporting our existing ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 systems. 

Retention of ISO 45001 is critical meaning we need to keep up the good work. Our health and safety efforts are good, but they can be better- we want you to embrace this throughout the business with the support of Richard and his team. To keep this commitment, we ask you to:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, taking care of each other at all times
• Don’t be afraid to report unsafe working practices, it is important these are highlighted
• Support our existing health and safety campaigns; if you have ideas for improvement please speak to your branch manager – they are committed to health and safety as much as everyone else
•  Remember the training you have been given and always work in safe manner - your safety and wellbeing are the upmost importance to us.

Over the coming weeks Bell Safety Services will be visiting branches to support compliance. They will seek to highlight best practices and/or areas for improvement, which will be monitored in line with a clear action plan.

As a business it’s important for our commitment to be recognised, but on a personal level we want to come to work in a clean, safe environment surrounded by likeminded individuals. We can only achieve this if we are aligned. Achieving this accreditation is just the beginning- maintaining, learning and improving from its principles will help ensure that health and safety has the strategic attention, leadership and resources it deserves.