Accidents are the biggest threat to individuals in the UK, with current figures stating that 14,000 people each year pass away as a result of accidents. For almost 100 years, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has worked to change both legislation and attitudes, performing an instrumental role in shaping our society to prevent millions of deaths or serious injuries. Through varied activities such as campaigning, research, influencing legislation, informing and educating, auditing and providing expert consultancy to businesses, it is the leading advocate for the wellbeing of families everywhere. It helps to put an end to unnecessary suffering at work, on the road, in the home, and at leisure.
Michelmersh became a member of RoSPA in 2015 and has since strived to achieve the society’s mission: ‘to save lives and reduce injuries’. The first QSA audit of the manufacturer was conducted in 2016, with the auditor identifying that culturally, health and safety is an obvious priority to the management and staff of Michelmersh.
The QSA awarded Michelmersh an overall Health and Safety Performance rating of 75, and concluded that this was a very creditable score for a first audit. In addition, it received an invitation from the charity to attend as guests of the RoSPA Centenary Royal Garden Party, at Buckingham Palace on the 25th of May. RoSPA has the gracious Patronage of The Queen, and it was granted permission by Her Majesty to hold a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace as the pinnacle to its charity’s centenary programme.
Peter Sharp, Joint Chief Executive Officer of Michelmersh, commented: “Health and Safety risk reduction is at the heart of everything we do at MBH and I am proud that we have a dedicated team overseeing our proactive culture. During 2016, we decided to change our health and safety auditors with a view to further improve our safety performance above and beyond compliance. We joined and engaged with RoSPA to carry out a Quality Safety Audit, workplace and management audits across the group and we were pleased to have achieved a Health and Safety Performance Rating of 75 in our first year.”
Peter continued: “I was honoured and excited to be invited to a garden party at the palace, a truly unique opportunity, not to be missed. The event did not disappoint. Everything was perfect: the weather, food, gardens and of course, seeing the royals at close hand made for a truly memorable afternoon amongst safety friends and colleagues.”
Amy Harris and Peter Sharp
The afternoon celebrated the work of those making a difference in the field of Health and Safety. It was a unique opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea in the beautiful gardens of Buckingham Palace and to meet other RoSPA friends. There were two military bands that provided the music and there was ample opportunity to stroll around the famous grounds. The royals in attendance were Prince Andrew and Princess Eugenie.
Amy Harris, Group Health Safety & Training Manager at Michelmersh, said: “We were delighted to have been invited to an event that recognises not only our own hard work but the hard work across all industries in preventing accidents and saving lives. It was an amazing day and with the sun shining, it was the perfect way for the charity to mark the pinnacle of their centenary celebrations. RoSPA is inspirational in the work it does; we are proud to support it and to have been able to experience this day with its employees and our peers.”
