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Health & safety

The managers and directors in our operating divisions are personally responsible and accountable for the health & safety of their employees. The health & safety requirements of our two divisions, Trade and Supply, necessarily differ somewhat, and therefore each division reviews its own strategy, issues and performance on a regular basis.

In the depots

• There were 31 reportable health & safety incidents in our 509 depots during 2011 (2010: 16). Although there has been an increase in the number of incidents year on year, the 2011 figure is below that reported for 2009, and we are pleased that the overall trend in actual numbers over the last five years continues downward despite our growing headcount.
• To ensure we maintain a health & safety culture in the Trade division we continue to run a number of courses:
  • A total of 380 drivers completed our defensive driving course which runs for those staff across the depot network who are required to drive as part of their day-to-day role.
  • This year as part of a triennial update, 43 senior managers also attended and passed the "IOSH Safety for Senior Executives" course.

In our manufacturing, warehouse and distribution sites:

• All our manufacturing, warehouse and distribution sites remain certified to OHSAS 18001.
• We had 16 reportable injuries during 2011 (2010: 14). This figure has been at a similar level for the last three years and shows a marked reduction over a five year period.
• We continue to support the knowledge and awareness of staff in this area, by encouraging staff to gain externally accredited health & safety qualifications (IOSH, NEBOSH and CIEH) as well as training operatives in the requirements of OHSAS 18001.
• Under the British Safety Council 5-star audit process, which measures performance against health & safety best practice, all three of our sites (Howden, Runcorn and our warehouse in Northampton) have achieved a 5-star rating. All achieved over 93% compliance and improved their performance on the prior year.
• In recognition of our achievements in health & safety, our Howden site was also proud to receive the British Safety Council's prestigious International Safety Award for the third consecutive year and was one of only 33 companies worldwide to be awarded a "Distinction".

Across the Group, there were no improvement or prohibition notices served on us during the year by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), nor were there any prosecutions by the HSE or the Environment Agency.