Over the past year, Inspirepac proved itself up to the task of meeting the challenges of the latest health and safety legislation and the Health & Safety Executive's focus in print and packaging on manual handling; contact with machinery; slips, trips and falls; dermatitis and site transport. The firm improved its performance and culture through training, communication and employee consultation.

Its safety management structure includes site safety refresher training, toolbox talks, ongoing monitoring and regular health and safety management meetings.

The judges praised its use of notice boards and the illustration and documentation of risk assessment defined by machine and process.

Its focus on managing transport on site extended to HGVs making deliveries with designated areas for unloading and the removal of the truck's keys before unloading can begin.

Judges praised the management's inclusion of health and safety as a key part of the business and the firm's ability to maintain a healthy working environment despite a factory layout that isn't optimised to its exact requirements.

Highly commended

Stralfors
Stralfors showed a good level of compliance from entering its reception through to its dispatch area. The firm managed to remove a number of workplace hazards due to its purpose built premises and is exceptionally good at managing its workplace transport. This was illustrated by its introduction of designated routes and segregation barriers to allow individuals to walk and work in a safe environment where internal vehicles travel, which is one of the HSE focus points.

For the full run-down of the Excellence Awards 2009 winners, click here.