Safety partnership

Partnership between the T&G general union and chemicals company Hickson & Welch, in Yorkshire, has led to them winning an award from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Ten years ago there was almost one reportable accident a week on the site and in 1992 several employees were killed in a fire. Joint health and safety training run by the T&G has underpinned the firm's safety drive, enabling it to turn around its safety performance. It is now three years since a day's work was lost due to accidents. Chris Emsen the T&G convenor said: ''We strongly believe that co-operation achieves real benefits in health and safety and we are proud of the part our members have played in gaining this award".