Safety Awards Recognise Concrete Success

A Co Fermanagh quarry products business is a top health and safety performer.

That's according to Independent Concrete Control Management (ICCM) Ltd, a group that runs annual safety awards for the member companies.

R J Millen & Sons, which came runner-up in 2008, has been named the 2009 top performer on health and safety across all the member firms.

Operating two quarries - one in Lisnaskea and one in Enniskillen - the company was awarded the accolade on account of a major contribution to the knowledge base of all staff and in particular, their Health & Safety Officer, Deborah Cartwright.

The recent awards saw Noel Mitten of R J Mitten & Sons accept the award on behalf of the company from Paul Lennon, of Willis & Company, the insurance brokerage business that manages ICCM.

ICCM itself is owned by 50 Irish businesses employing more than 5,000 people in the quarry and concrete trade and was set up to reduce the number of accidents and establish a self-insurance facility.

Like any primary industry, the concrete and quarrying industry is aware of its responsibilities regarding the health and safety of all who are involved in the industry.

To ensure the ongoing success of the Irish Concrete Federation and its members and their products and to further develop the delivery of the highest quality support services, the ICF has run the Health & Safety awards competitions for Extraction Sites and Concrete Plants and Precast Plants on a three year rolling basis.

Members of Independent Concrete Control Management Ltd (ICCM Ltd), the group liability insurance scheme providing employer liability, public liability and product liability insurance are inspected on an annual basis and advised on how the management of their works may be improved to eliminate or reduce levels of risk.

As part of the Federations and ICCM Ltd health and safety service, a substantial amount of site accident investigation is provided to members with recommendations being made for corrective measures to be taken to prevent recurrence through the issue of safety bulletins, circulars and guidance notes.

(BMcC/GK)