UK safety expert Arco has achieved ISO 45001, the new international health and safety standard, on its first attempt. Aligned to internationally recognised best practice, the new standard helps put in place the policies, procedures and controls needed to achieve the best possible working conditions and workplace health and safety.
Established in 2018, the standard ISO 45001 replaces the existing OHSAS 18001 and takes a more proactive approach to identifying and evaluating risks. Key potential benefits from implementing the standard include a reduction of workplace incidents, insurance premiums and absenteeism, as well as an improvement in general health and safety performance.
Arco has been working on its migration from the previous standard to ISO 45001 for the last six months. The final assessment was undertaken over four intense days at its Head Office and National Distribution Centre where the standard assessor visited departments, reviewed procedures and documentation as well as interviewed Arco employees.
Jo Heselton, Arco’s Group Safety Health and Environmental Manager said, “The aim of the standard is to promote and protect the physical safety and mental health of workers, which is at the very heart of all we do at Arco. I’m delighted Arco has been awarded the standard and to achieve it on our first attempt is a testament to all of the hard work that has been put into preparation by my colleagues.”
When visiting Arco, the assessor was particularly impressed by the engagement and self-awareness of Arco staff. He praised the company’s Safety Pledges, a newly-launched initiative that uses popular song lyrics to support safety behaviour in the Arco workplace such as, ‘Walk this way’ to emphasise designated walkways and ‘if you liked it, you should have put a lid on it’ to minimise the risk of spills that could lead to slips and trips.
