Northgate has had its reputation for promoting health and safety to employees and customers recognised with a RoSPA gold award for the second consecutive year.

Darlington-based Northgate Vehicle Hire, which operates a fleet of 61,000 vehicles, won a RoSPA occupational health and safety gold award for the first time last year after winning silver awards in 2006 and 2008.

This latest award will be presented at a ceremony at the Birmingham Hilton Metropole Hotel, National Exhibition Centre, on Tuesday, May 11.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “Northgate Vehicle Hire has shown a commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its employees and others. Organisations which do this deserve to have such dedication recognised and that’s where the RoSPA awards come in.

“As well as there being clear ethical reasons and legal requirements for good health and safety management, there is also a strong business case. RoSPA is delighted to publicly honour organisations which have demonstrated their work to improve performance in this sphere.”

Colin Gilstin, Northgate’s health and safety manager, said: “We believe that winning the gold award for the second year in a row represents Northgate’s commitment to promoting a positive health and safely culture whilst demonstrating the importance of engaging with our employees where health and safety is concerned.”

Managing risk has become a crucial part of a fleet operator's role with the introduction of more robust health and safety legislation. The Fleet News Risk Management section covers all the key areas you need to worry about with tips for ensuring your fleet complies with its legal requirements.