AV Dawson, owner and operator of Port of Middlesbrough has received an international award for its commitment to health and safety.
The Teesside-based port operator has achieved one of the highest accolades from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) receiving the ‘Gold’ award.
Companies who receive a RoSPA award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety. To be awarded RoSPA Gold, businesses must have achieved a very high level of performance, demonstrating well developed occupational health and safety management systems and culture, outstanding control of risk and very low levels of error, harm and loss.
RoSPA Gold is acknowledged as the highest accolade in the health and safety industry.
AV Dawson’s group managing director, Charlie Nettle said: “Receiving this internationally recognised award is a huge testament to the safety culture we have created within the business. It is a badge that we will wear with honour as it gives our customers and other stakeholders huge confidence in the standards that we operate to.
“As a values-driven business and with safety being our number one value, we make safety an absolute priority in everything we do.”
“Our safety records are exemplary and our Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality (HSEQ) team have worked tirelessly over the years to drive forward our safety ambitions.
“We applied for this award as a group as it was important for the whole business to achieve the standard, including each of our subsidiary businesses Port of Middlesbrough, Cockfield Knight, AV Dawson Transport and AVD Industrial and Port Services. Everyone across the business has worked immensely hard to achieve this milestone. To receive this award is a true reflection of our positive safety culture.”
Neil Olver, head of health, safety and environment at AV Dawson said: “We applied knowing we had a management system that satisfied ISO45001, so to achieve the ‘Gold’ award at the first time of submitting and entry was a great feeling.
“To be recognised alongside some of the leading companies in the world for our safety culture really is a proud moment for the whole business.
“Being presented with this award is a huge testament to the hard work of our colleagues.”
Julia Small, RoSPA’s achievements director, said: “Workplace accidents don’t just pose financial risks and operational disruptions; they significantly impact the quality of life for individuals. This is why acknowledging and rewarding excellent safety performance is vital.
“We congratulate AV Dawson for winning a prestigious RoSPA Award and showing an unwavering commitment to keeping employees, clients and customers safe from accidental harm and injury.”