Siemens Building Technologies has just been awarded the British Safety Council Sword of Honour, which represents the pinnacle of achievement in the world of health and safety management.
Each year, only businesses that have achieved a five star outcome following the BSC Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit are eligible for the Sword of Honour award, in recognition of commitment to excellent health and safety management standards.
There are only 61 Sword of Honour winning companies from around the world, and each has demonstrated to an independent adjudication panel a proven track record of excellence in managing risks to workers’ health and safety, or to the environment, within the company’s activities.
Siemens Building Technologies is a specialist division of Siemens that designs, manufactures, installs, commissions and offers lifecycle support for advanced fire safety, security and building management solutions. The company operates in multiple challenging environments where adherence to stringent health and safety management standards is vital; these include power, water, transport, property, pharmaceutical, data centres, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, police and the public sector.
Siemens places great importance on health and safety; one of its core values is ‘Zero Harm’, which means no accidents, no complacency and no injuries. To support this objective Siemens has introduced a series of programmes and initiatives aimed at all employees regardless of whether they are office-based, home-based or site-based. Zero Harm aims to keep all employees, customers, suppliers and contractors safe. The programme has three simple principles: Think Safe. Act Safe. Be Safe.
Paul King, UK Head of Health, Safety, Quality and Environment for Siemens Building Technologies, explains: “Our vision is to provide a safe and healthy work environment for everyone, with the belief that all accidents and incidents are preventable. Furthermore the culture of proactive EHS management is a mindset that is practised by all employees, both at work and at home. We aim to encourage and drive our people to do the right thing, first time, for the right reason and for positive health and safety practice to become part of everyone’s personal DNA profile.”
Siemens Building Technologies has strengthened its approach to health and safety management standards via the introduction of briefing packs for the business leaders to disseminate through their teams, by defining and setting personal objectives with each employee to enable an improved contribution and the setting up of senior management engagement tours to discuss health, safety and wellbeing with the workforce on both a team and individual basis.
Paul concludes, “The safety and health of all is an integral part of all our processes and the number one value within Siemens. We see it as a fundamental right to work in an environment where risks to health, safety and wellbeing are rigorously controlled.”
The 2015 Sword of Honour was presented to Siemens at the winners’ award ceremony on Friday 27 November 2015 at the historic City of London venue, Drapers Hall.
Paul King of Siemens (right) being presented by Mike Robinson FCA, Chief Executive, British Safety Council (left)
