SAFETY at York-based Shepherd Construction is edged with silver.

The construction firm took a silver award in the prestigious RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2011.

Safety charity RoSPA launched its awards programme 55 years ago. The scheme looks not only at accident records, but also entrants’ overarching health and safety management systems, including important practices such as strong leadership and workforce involvement.

David Rawlins, RoSPA’s awards manager, said: “RoSPA firmly believes that organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill- health prevention deserve recognition. “Shepherd Construction has shown that it is committed to striving for such continuous improvement and we are delighted to honour it.”

Darren Shattock, Shepherd’s health and safety director, said: “Everyone within our business is strongly committed to protecting the health and safety of each other, sub-contractors, clients, visitors and members of the public who could be affected by the work we undertake.”

“This external recognition can now be used to promote and reinforce our dedication to continuously improve our health and safety performance.”