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Press Release |
Arbcore Press Release October 2008 Top Safety Accreditation for Arbcore Tree Care. Arbcore is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record. The Aberystwyth-based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises very high standards of health and safety practise amongst UK contractors. Established six years ago by Tristan Merry-Howe, Arbcore is principally involved in Arboricultural Operations (Tree Surgery) in Ceredigion, Powys and Gwynedd. Specialising in the aesthetic improvement of trees and the ability to handle trees that other contractors shy away from, Arbcore's most recent clients have included major players such as Ceredigion County Council, the Aberystwyth University and Wilmott Dixon. The Company's application for SAFEcontractor accreditation was driven by the need to provide reassurance that as times become difficult economically, not all companies would cut corners to save money. Tristan Merry-Howe, Owner of Arbcore Tree Care said, "It occurred to me earlier this year that in a changing economy it could become all too easy to neglect issues of health and safety. Tree Surgery is a potentially dangerous activity and I wanted to assure our clients that Arbcore offers a safe, reliable service to them, no matter how large an organisation or how small a household customer they may be. Achieving the accreditation from SAFEcontractor is a real boost, and something we are very pleased to have achieved." SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company's ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company's liability policy is up for renewal. SAFEcontractor is operated by international safety, health and environmental risk management specialists, the National Britannia Group. The system is applicable to most sectors although it is particularly relevent to food manufacture, property, facilities managment, retail and leisure sectors, all of which are big users of contract services. Darren Hughes, Operations Director for SAFE contractor at National Britannia said "Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies". "More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk managment in the way that Arbcore Tree Care have done. The firm's high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector". Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on the database, which is accessible to registered users only via a website, www.safecontractor.com. Employer-organisations who sign up to the scheme can access the database, which enables them to vet potential contractors before they even set foot on site. These employers agree that, as users of the scheme, they will engage only those who have achieved accreditation. For further information about the services Arbcore Tree Care can offer, call: 01970 611 300 Or visit their website: www.arbcore.com Note to editors: The National Britannia Group The National Britannia Group is one of the UK's largest independent safety, health and environmental risk management specialists, employing a total of 450 people within its UK operations. More than 200 of these personnel are scientists or other qualified professionals. The business provides leading edge solutions in disciplines such as health and safety, food safety, water control, environmental management, occupational health and hygiene, fire safety and asbestos management. It also operates two major information services on behalf of the UK health and Safety Executive. Its heavy commitment to research and development of e-riskMANAGER, the world's first interactive web-based risk management system. For more information visit www.WhatRisk.com Further information about the National Britannia Group, contact: Steve McCormack Working Word Public Relations - 029 2048 8778 Ends. |