Redditch-based Samuel Taylor Ltd (STL), a presswork and metal contact specialist, is one of the first 100 companies in the UK to achieve the conversion from BS 18001 to ISO 45001 Health and Safety accreditation.

The new ISO standard helps organisations by providing a framework to improve employee safety, reduce workplace risks and create better working conditions.

The process towards compliance was a team effort involving STL’s company secretary Richard Pick, quality assurance manager Bogdan Dumitru and production manager Paul Booth, as well as external consultants Temple Quality Management Systems.

Mr Dumitru (www.samueltaylor.co.uk) said: “The journey to ISO 45001 accreditation was very much an employee-led approach, with a significant emphasis on staff participation and consultation.

If employees are given the opportunity to participate in shaping safe work systems, particularly by getting involved at the planning stage, they are more likely to identify the reasons for taking a particular action, help find practical solutions, and comply with the end result.”

Mr Pick said: “Obtaining the ISO 45001 certification was a direct follow-up to the OHSAS 18001 accreditation that STL already held.

“The transition to ISO 45001 took only three to four months, since the back-bone of the integrated management systems was already in place.

“We are fortunate at STL to have a talented and loyal workforce.

“Gaining the accreditation demonstrates our on-going commitment to maintaining a safe working
environment for the people that we value the most.”