Occupational saftey and health award for Bentley company Pharmacia and Upjohn

5/10/99
Bentley company Pharmacia and Upjohn (Perth) has been rewarded for its exemplary standards in occupational safety and health.
Labour Relations Minister Cheryl Edwardes today presented the company's manufacturing director Dr Robert Heyes with the WorkSafe Plan Gold Certificate of Achievement for attaining an excellent rating in occupational safety and health management.
"The Gold Certificate is not given easily, and everyone can rest assured that Pharmacia and Upjohn has outstanding occupational safety and health management systems, and has earned this recognition," Mrs Edwardes said.
"Last year, only eight organisations received a Gold Certificate of Achievement under the WorkSafe Plan, so it is indeed an excellent achievement."
The WorkSafe Plan - launched by WorkSafe Western Australia in 1994 - is an assessment plan which rates occupational safety and health management systems and recognises good performance in the workplace.
To receive a Certificate of Achievement, enterprises must achieve certain scores in five key areas, along with a reduction in lost time injuries.
The five key areas are:

• management commitment to a safe and healthy work environment;
• occupational safety and health policies, plans and procedures;
• consultation between employers and employees;
• systems to identify workplace hazards and to assess and control risks; and
• safety and health training at all staff levels.

"Pharmacia and Upjohn has - over the past 12 months - achieved a commendable improvement in safety and health management," Mrs Edwardes said.
"The organisation was presented with a Silver Certificate of Achievement in August of last year, an achievement in itself.
"But Pharmacia and Upjohn was not satisfied with silver and set out to improve even further, and today is the culmination of that effort.
"The company is committed to the safety and health of its staff, and this involves all levels of management and employees.
"Pharmacia and Upjohn has implemented unique safety and health initiatives over the last two years.
"A physical exercise program has been introduced which greatly reduces the risk of manual handling injuries.
"An employee reward and recognition program has also been introduced to recognise valuable contributions to safety and health management.
"Team safety and health awareness sessions are held daily to ensure safety and health remains a high priority.
"Pharmacia and Upjohn supports continuous improvement in all areas of safety and health, and is currently developing a Healthy Lifestyle Program and a behavioural- based safety and health program."
Mrs Edwardes congratulated Pharmacia and Upjohn on achieving Gold status, and commended its decision to become involved in the WorkSafe Plan assessment process.
"Management and every employee should be extremely proud of their contribution to this achievement," Mrs Edwardes said.
Media contact: Carole Cowling on 9421 7707