Health & Safety
This was another very challenging year for the Group which resulted in further reorganisation. Nevertheless good health and safety standards have been maintained and some considerable improvements were made. The year started with the good news that Trinity Mirror was to receive a RoSPA Gold Medal award for occupational health and safety, which is presented to those achieving the gold standard for five consecutive years.
Health and safety initiatives
In pursuit of continual improvement the following initiatives were undertaken during 2009:
- efforts to ensure compliance with the internationally recognised health and safety management system OHSAS 18001 continued at the printing plants with all but one plant achieving the standard and being recommended for certification. It is expected that compliance will be achieved at the remaining plant early in 2010;
- a programme of internal and external health and safety audits was carried out to ensure compliance with legislation and maintain standards. This is in addition to regular departmental health and safety inspections;
- good health and safety standards were maintained during various projects to consolidate our premises, relocate some of our staff and upgrade presses at the Newcastle printing plant;
- a review of personal protective equipment was carried out to ensure compliance with relevant standards and ensure uniformity of provision across the Group;
- as part of a plan to achieve compliance with HSE stress management standards managers were provided with stress awareness training and this work is scheduled to continue in 2010;
- through the Group Health and Safety Risk Management Forum a new policy covering the reporting of accidents and incidents was introduced. Policy documents covering smoking and the use of mobile phones at work were also revised and updated;
- the Group has continued to support the HSE Printing Industry Advisory Committee in their efforts to improve health and safety in the printing industry, through involvement of the Group Health and Safety Manager and participation in their topic-related safetycampaigns; and
- wider health and safety developments were monitored through the Group Health and Safety Risk Management Forum with follow up action, as appropriate.
