Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s work in the field of health and safety has been recognised by a prestigious award from the Health and Safety Executive. For its contribution to the European Week for Safety and Health at Work in October last year the Council undertook a wide range of activities to promote improvements in health and safety, both for its own workforce and for businesses in the area. The Health and Safety Executive were impressed by the innovative and comprehensive way this important issue was approached and selected the Council, from more than 1,500 entries across the country, to receive one of 32 awards for work in support of the European Week.

During the Week itself the Council ran group seminars, relaunched its health and safety policy and safety manual, issued booklets and safety folders to all staff, issued daily health and safety newsletters, held team meetings across all departments and even held a realistic fire drill (with smoke effects and a rooftop rescue carried out by the Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service!). As part of a "Good Neighbour" initiative the Council invited delegates from local businesses to its seminars and actively promoted the Week through street banners, car park ticket advertisements and by franking its outgoing mail with a special ‘Euro Safety Week’ message.

Councillor Bob Hicks, Chair of the Council’s Human resources Committee responsible for overseeing the activities, was delighted by the award.

"The award demonstrates what can be achieved when the Council and local businesses co-operate in such initiatives.

"For our own workforce we took every opportunity we could to get the safety message across. Every employee took part in team meetings which included viewing a safety video, hazard spotting and participating in a health and safety training needs survey. The Council, however, also recognised the need to provide support on health and safety matters to the business community and the seminars won widespread approval from delegates from local businesses. The Council continues to offer training courses on risk assessment for firms locally."