Media centre

Thursday 20 Feb 2003

NETWORK RAIL WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Region & Route:

| Southern

At an awards’ ceremony on Friday 13 February at County Hall, Network Rail won a prestigious award from the Health and Safety Commission.  East Anglia Region’s Environment Investment team won the award in recognition of their efforts to promote health and safety in the workplace. During the 2003 European Safety and Health Week Network Rail’s team of three used the week to highlight and promote health and safety at work.  The team worked to raise the profile of this important topic by identifying the main hazards facing employees and contractors on construction sites and communicating these to industry contractors at safety forums.  Toolbox talks were carried out on hazardous substances, personal protection, transportation, disposal and the emergency handling of chemicals. Chris Thomas, Project Safety & Environment Manager, said: “This award highlights the importance that our team at Network Rail puts on health and safety issues, and it's great to have our efforts recognised outside the rail industry. This success has given us a boost and increased our impetus to go for it again next year. “It's a complex industry, so we focused on one element relevant to all our contractors regardless of location - the use of chemicals on construction sites. This is critical information for everyone on the front line, which is where accidents can happen.” PHOTO: Network Rail collecting their award from Murray Devine, Regional HSE Director (Network Rail from left to right) Stephen Webber- Project Safety & Environment Manager, Tony Ellis - Investment Safety & Environment Manager, Chris Thomas - Project Safety & Environment Manager.