VEHICLE hire firm Northgate, which has branches in Kidderminster, Cannock, Stoke-On-Trent, Birminghamand Telford, has had its commitment to health and safety recognised.

It has been awarded OHSAS 18001 status, a British standard for occupational health and safety management systems.

As an internationally recognised standard, OHSAS 18001 assists organisations in managing and controlling health and safety risks, so improving overall safety performances.

The certification demonstrates to employees, customers and stakeholders that Northgate holds corporate social responsibility (CSR) as key to the success of its operation, as well as enabling it to balance between reducing workplace hazards and boosting employee morale.

Colin Gilstin, group health, safety and environment manager at Northgate, said: “Achieving the OHSAS 18001 accreditation is testament to Northgate’s ongoing commitment to improving health and safety performance across the business and making our workplaces safer for all of our employees.

"The accreditation gives us a solid platform on which to continue to raise the bar in health and safety standards, not just for employees but for our customers too.”

He added: “We are delighted to have achieved the OHSAS 18001 status. This accreditation was first introduced in 1999 and requires organisations to assess risks and implement an effective occupational health and safety management system to promote a safe and healthy working environment.

"This accreditation also supplements the ISO 14001 accreditation we achieved two years ago for our environmental management system and controls to protect the environment. Both accreditations are testament to the hard work of our operations team.”

Jennifer Appleton, operations director for ISO Quality Services Ltd, said: “Northgate plc has already shown great commitment to its ISO 14001 Environmental Standard and it is a pleasure to see this large organisation embracing the opportunity to effectively protect the health and safety of its workforce by the recent implementation of the BS OHSAS 18001 Health and Safety Standard.”

She added: “The BS OHSAS 18001 System offers peace of mind to the company’s employees, illustrating the manner in which they actively promote health and safety in the workplace, demonstrating Northgate offers a safe and caring environment to work within.

"The company’s clients can also take assurance that by operating to this standard, this awareness is promoted throughout its supply chain.”

Northgate Vehicle Hire has branches across 67 locations in the UK and Ireland, with its head office in Darlington.