UPM's UK timber harvesting company UPM Tilhill marks 65% reduction in lost-time accidents, wins forest sector safety award from Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for third consecutive year

Wendy Lisney

BIRMINGHAM, U.K. , May 30, 2013 (press release) – UPM Tilhill has had its approach to occupational safety and health recognised once again in an awards scheme run by the safety charity, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The top award in the forestry sector of the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2013 was presented to UPM Tilhill Head of Safety UK Chris Pike during a ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel at the National Exhibition Centre.

Chris Pike said: “This is the third consecutive year we have won the forestry sector so I was especially proud to receive the winner’s silver salver on behalf of the company.

“I am delighted that the sustained effort the whole company has put into improving our safety performance over the past four years has been recognised again by RoSPA. The real reward has been achieving a 65 per cent reduction in the number of lost-time accidents.”

Dating back 57 years, the RoSPA Awards scheme is the largest and longest-running programme of its kind in the UK. It recognises commitment to accident and ill-health prevention and is open to businesses and organisations of all types and sizes from across the UK and overseas. The scheme not only looks at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill-health prevention deserve recognition. UPM Tilhill has shown that it is committed to striving for such continuous improvement and we are delighted to honour it through the presentation of an award.”

The majority of awards that RoSPA presents are non-competitive, marking achievement at merit, bronze, silver and gold levels. Organisations maintaining high standards can win gold medals, president’s awards and orders of distinction.

Competitive awards are presented in more than 20 sectors, and competitive awards also recognise excellence in specialist areas, such as the management of occupational road risk (MORR).

The headline sponsor for the RoSPA Awards 2013 is NEBOSH (the National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health). Sponsors of the other specialist trophies are: The International Sector Award - airsweb; The MORR Trophy - Allianz; The Occupational Health Award (Astor Trophy) - BHSF; The International Dilmun Environmental Award - GPIC; The Best New Entry Trophy - Safety & Health Expo; The Workforce Involvement in Safety and Health Trophy - Springfields Fuels; and, The MORR Technology Trophy - Tesco Dotcom.

UPM Tilhill, established more than 60 years ago, is a national company operating from a network of offices throughout the UK. UPM Tilhill is the UK’s largest forest management and timber harvesting company. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor. Further information is available at www.upm-tilhill.com

For further information pleasecontact:

Suzi Christie PR Consultant for UPM Tilhill on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people. UPM is present in 67 countries and has production units in 17 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

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