Northgate Vehicle Hire is celebrating after winning a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ Gold Award for the third consecutive year.

Northgate Vehicle Hire, which operates a fleet of more than 60,000 vehicles from 62 locations across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, won a RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Gold Award for the first time in 2009 after winning a Silver Award in 2008.

RoSPA launched its awards programme, which looks not only at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention deserve recognition. Northgate Vehicle Hire 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.”

Colin Gilstin, safety and environment manager at Northgate said: “The award is the culmination of yet another year’s tireless efforts to maintain the highest possible levels of safety across the whole Northgate Group. To win a Gold Award for the third consecutive year against extremely strict judging criteria is testimony to the successful implementation of a wide-range of health and safety initiatives to ensure the health and welfare of all of our 2,000+ employees.”

New health and safety initiatives in the past 12 months have focused on reviewing and updating policies and procedures and issuing ‘winter driving packs’ to all of the company’s 450+ collection and delivery drivers. The special packs consist of an illuminated warning triangle, ice scraper, torch, first aid kit and vest together with a Northgate Vehicle Hire branded carrying case.

The company’s investment in health and safety also sees employees attend a range of courses to equip them with the necessary safety skills and knowledge for their roles. For example, Northgate trained around 250 employees last year to a British Safety Council Level One standard in health and safety meaning more than 1,000 members of staff have attained the qualification over the past three years. Additionally, 40 managers and senior members of staff have attended the three-day Level Two course with further training taking place this year.

Mr Gilstin said: “Constant and consistent communication with employees on all health and safety issues is vital. The appointment of regional representatives helps to ensure local level engagement on all health and safety issues.”