Housing Executive Health and Safety Contractor of the Year Awards
The Housing Executive’s annual Health and Safety Contractor conference took place yesterday, 14th March, at the Glenavon Hotel in Cookstown.
Over 150 people travelled to hear health and safety experts from across the sector update them on current regulations and good practice. Representatives from Industry Training Services, Health & Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and Age NI gave informative talks on fire safety on managing work at height, respiratory health, and a new 50+ men’s health programme, respectively.
Staff from Housing Executive departments also presented on key issues including reducing the risk of needle stick injuries, staying gas safe during construction work, and health focus initiatives. The topics generated plenty of discussion and people had time to exchange views and ideas with their peers.
Winners of the annual Housing Executive Health and Safety Contractor of the Year Awards were announced at the end of the conference.
PK Murphy took the award for planned maintenance services, and they also won the response maintenance services award.
“These accolades acknowledge the consistently high health and safety compliance standards that Housing Executive contractors adhere to, with 30 principal contractors in contention for the highly coveted awards,” explained Paul Isherwood, the Housing Executive’s Director of Asset Management.
He continued, “This is the seventh year of our annual Health and Safety Contractor event. It is an opportunity for key staff to join with our contractors to discuss and promote the importance of our positive health and safety culture. Updating contractors and colleagues on issues such as respiratory health and reducing the risk of needle stick injuries will help protect contractors, employees and ultimately our customers.
During the event, Mr Isherwood also announced a new contractor innovation award, commenting:
“The Health and Safety Innovation Award will encourage innovative solutions to challenging health and safety issues. We hope it brings forward new ways to benefit contractors, their staff and our customers whilst safely improving working practices in construction.”
The Housing Executive’s charity partner, Age NI, was also present to highlight their Good Vibrations project, a new men’s health programme aimed at men aged 50 and over.
Staff held a ballot and raised over £830 on the day to help them continue their vision to help everyone love later life.