GUERNSEY Electricity has been given a top award by the British Safety Council. It received the 2005 International Safety Award at a ceremony in London.

‘Obviously it was a privilege for me to collect the award, but really the achievement is down to the efforts of everyone in the company,’ said health and safety manager Alan Chubb.

‘As a company we have managed to achieve consistent improvements in health and safety over many years.

We are now all working hard to not only ensure that we maintain this excellent record, but also to make further progress.’

Guernsey Electricity has reduced staff absence due to accidents at work by 75% in the last 10 years. Mr Chubb said this was the result of a range of new measures that have been introduced, and reflected the commitment to health and safety throughout the organisation. Most recently the company has undergone a comprehensive review of health and safety procedures and has introduced new policies which it hopes will result in further reductions. The presentation was made at the Grosvenor House Hotel, in London. Prime Minister Tony Blair sent a message of congratulations to all the winners.

‘These awards recognise the success that these organisations and their employees have achieved in their pursuit of excellence in the management of health safety and environmental matters,’ he said.

* Only companies that achieve above average safety records for their industry are eligible for the International Safety Awards.