UPM Tilhill one of first to sign forestry industry Accord

(UPM Tilhill, Stirling, 2nd October 2012) – UPM Tilhill has signed a ground-breaking agreement that aims to raise the standard of health and safety in the forestry industry.
By: Blueberry PR
 
Oct. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- The Forestry Industry Safety Accord (FISA) was launched this month at an event attended by more than 80 people. UPM Tilhill is one of the first businesses, which include industry leading players and contractors, to sign the Accord.

At a safety summit last year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) urged stakeholders to work together and to reduce the number of serious and fatal accidents in the UK forestry industry - one of the most dangerous sectors to work in. The Accord is the industry’s response to the HSE’s call to action.

UPM Tilhill’s Head of Safety Chris Pike said: “We are delighted to be one of the first companies to sign the Accord and demonstrate our commitment to health and safety.
“Even though our systems and processes are already rigorous, we are continually striving to improve our health and safety. Examples include our ‘Insist On Safety’ cultural change programme across the business which continues to reinforce the importance of health and safety in the workplace to our staff and contractors.

FISA Chairman Steve Lavery added: “I am delighted that UPM Tilhill is part of this leading industry group. Everyone in every parts of the sector needs to be and share their moral responsibility to support the Accord’s objectives to reduce accidents and injury.

“Contractors, particularly those workers who operate outside a cab or on the open hill, are the most at risk and should be the focus of attention. Our sector’s performance is three times worse than the construction industry and we must improve.”

Health and safety has always been a priority for UPM Tilhill. Earlier this year the company beat competitors from across the UK to win the 2012 Forestry Sector Award for exemplary health and safety practices in the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards. This is the second consecutive year winning the sector award for forestry and adds to the five consecutive highly commended and gold awards achieved in previous years.

FISA has identified eight important areas to work on to improve the safety of individuals and the industry as a whole with the immediate focus being on chainsaw refresher training, communications and reporting and statistical trending.

A key area of development will be seeking to drive ‘behavioural change’ towards health and safety as the group looks to make real changes in the way the industry approaches and develops its thinking on safety.

Established more than 60 years ago, UPM Tilhill is a national company operating from a network of offices throughout the UK.

UPM Tilhill is the UK’s largest timber harvesting and forest management company. The company provides a full range of consultancy and contracting services to the forest owner and forestry investor.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
For further press information contact Suzi Christie PR Consultant for UPM Tilhill on 01435 830031 or e-mail suzi@blueberry-pr.co.uk

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com
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Source:Blueberry PR
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