Country-wide vacant property and site security specialist, VPS UK Ltd, is celebrating after being cited as a finalist for an internationally-recognised award for a transformative approach to health and safety for its staff.

The British Safety Council International Safety Awards has selected VPS as the only UK representative on its shortlist for organisations that have significantly transformed an aspect of health, safety or wellbeing, through the use of information. The other five companies include a Chinese construction conglomerate, one of the world’s Top 500 companies, and a Canadian multinational.

Now in their 64th year, the International Safety Awards recognise and celebrate organisations from around the world which have demonstrated to independent judges their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health. The awards also acknowledge commitment to wellbeing and mental health at work.

They span all sectors with significant representation from the construction, manufacturing, oil, gas, mining, power and utility sectors.

Carolyn Smith, VPS Director of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, said: “To gain this recognition in such an incredible international field is a fantastic achievement, and demonstrates the hard work of all our staff to ensure that we operate to the highest safety standards. VPS has an unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. Building a safety platform and umbrella for all is critical, not only for our staff, but for our customers too, as we partner with the construction and utility sectors for providing safety and security services.”

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said: “The vision of British Safety Council is that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work – anywhere in the world. Achieving this requires more than complying with legislation; it means people committed not only to health and safety but also more and more to workplace wellbeing and impelling others to follow suit. Effective management of health and safety risks is a business growth enabler, benefiting not just employees, but organisations and wider society. The International Safety Awards encourage other organisations to adopt this approach and place employees’ health, safety and wellbeing at the core of their business.”

For more information about the British Safety Council Awards visit https://www.britsafe.org/awards-and-events/awards/international-safety-awards/isa-2022-additional-awards-shortlist/