Defence

BAE Systems wins RoSPA National Defence Sector Awards

Posted 6 August 2018

BAE Systems' Washington and Ridsdale sites have secured Health and Safety awards by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in recognition of the Company’s practices and achievements in helping employees, contractors and customers get home safely at the end of each working day.

BAE Systems' Washington, Tyne and Wear, site is an advanced engineering and manufacturing facility which produces ammunition parts, so safety is vital for both employees and its main customer, the British Army. The Washington site was announced Winner of the RoSPA National Defence Sector Award, in the longest-running Health and Safety awards scheme in the UK. Our Ridsdale Range site that tests and evaluates military equipment was also Commended in this category.

The Washington team received its award at a ceremony in July at the Birmingham NEC arena. The Ridsdale team is set to collect itsaward in Glasgow in September.

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievement in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Marc Rowell, Washington Safety, Health and Environment Manager for BAE Systems Land UK, said: “Winning the National Defence Sector Award for health and safety practices is a fantastic achievement for Washington, something we’ve been working towards for a number of years.

“The award shows that BAE Systems Land UK has world class processes and strives to be a zero harm organisation that ensures our employees start safe, work safe and go home safe.

“Achieving the highest level of award available is a real endorsement of our hard work in health and safety. A huge thank you to everyone on site who works hard to maintain the highest health and safety standards.”

Matthew Crofton, Ridsdale Safety Advisor for BAE Systems Land UK, said: “The Ridsdale Range team has been working tirelessly to maintain and grow our impeccable standards for health and safety. We pride ourselves on our vigilance, ethic and practices which keep our staff, customers and contractors safe to return home to their families and loved ones every day.

"If that isn’t satisfaction enough, being Commended in this award category is major recognition of all our hard work. This truly was a team effort.”