EDP assists Microsoft win coveted 'Sword of Honour'

For over a decade, EDP has been managing health and safety on behalf of Microsoft UK. Earlier this year we had the privilege of announcing that Microsoft had won the British Safety Council’s (BSC) prestigious 5-Star Grading, at the first attempt.

This is the highest grading awarded by the BSC and it demonstrates Microsoft’s total commitment to safeguard the health and safety of its employees. It goes far beyond legal compliance to consider best practice from management style to practical day-to-day operations.

The question then was where next for Microsoft UK Reading and the answer was to seek the Sword of Honour award. This is the most prestigious health and safety award at an international level. Companies world-wide compete for just 40 Swords that are awarded each year.

Only companies that have already achieved a 5-star rating are allowed to compete for the Sword of Honour, which recognises companies whose health and safety is truly amongst the best in the world. It is a reflection of commitment to health and safety throughout the company and beyond - from the Boardroom, through every other part of the organisation and on to others who might be affected by the company’s business operations.

In the words of Mr Nimick, Chief Executive of the British Safety Council:

"Everyone winning a Sword of Honour this year has demonstrated that in addition to ensuring extremely high standards of Health and Safety in the workplace, they have also considered how their business impacts on other. Being a winner of a Sword of Honour this year is an exceptional achievement, something that everyone in your company can be proud of."

Special appreciation for this achievement goes to the core health and safety team, consisting of Steve Dunn and Nick Willis of Microsoft, along with Ria Creswell and John Bradford of EDP.

"Being awarded the Sword of Honour is a fantastic achievement and it reflects the effort that every Microsoft employee has put into achieving this."

"Winning the Sword has reinforced the culture and the attitudes towards health and safety within the company. It also provides our clients with evidence that we are good at what we do."

"Receiving the award has really heightened our awareness of health and safety because we didn't think we'd achieve five stars straight away, so now we're more focussed on our goals."

About the British Safety Council and 'Sword of Honour' Award

The British Safety Council is one of the world's leading occupational health, safety and environmental organisations. Founded in 1957, its mission is to support a healthier, safer and more sustainable society. More information can be found on the BSC Website.

The Sword of Honour is an award that was inaugurated in 1979 to encourage and recognise the achievement of organisations whose first-class health and safety management is amongst the very best in the world.