ATS reduces 'lost time' accidents

ATS Euromaster has reduced lost time accidents by 58% in the past five years, from 100 such accidents in 2007 to just 42 in 2011.

Furthermore the company is on course for an even more substantial reduction in 2012, with just 12 lost time accidents for the first six months of the year.

The company attributes the reduction to the success of its on-going ‘Safe by Choice’ programme, designed to make safety a personal choice for every member of staff.

“We have the largest mobile tyre fitting force in our industry, meaning many technicians operate away from the confines of a service centre in some of the most dangerous environments in the transport sector,” said Stan Rudowski, group head of health, safety and technical services at ATS Euromaster.

“They provide assistance to customers on motorways, construction sites, farms, as well as in hauliers’ yards, at airports and in busy car parks.

“Such situations, in our opinion, should be the preserve of professionals; customers need the reassurance that contractors working on their sites have been extensively trained and are using suitably equipped vehicles.”

As part of the Safe by Choice programme ATS Euromaster recently announced enhanced service, maintenance and repair training for its car and van technicians in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry.

ATS Euromaster was also the first national tyre service provider to be accredited by both SAFEContractor and the Contractors Health and Safety Scheme (CHAS).

The tyre specialist won bronze and silver Occupational Health and Safety awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) in 2010 and 2011, and is targeting the prestigious Gold Award in 2013.

ROSPA’s adjudication panel considers not only ATS Euromaster’s safety performance record over the last five years but also how senior management demonstrates its commitment to leading issues of health and safety.

“Safety is more than a toolbox talk or policy manual for ATS Euromaster,” said Ian Stuart, group managing director of ATS Euromaster. “It’s how we do business and it’s what makes us stand out within our industry.”