Chemicals company Nippon Gohsei UK has achieved the BS OHSAS 18001 certification, as the company builds on an increasingly robust health and safety performance.

The internationally recognised occupational health and safety management system is held for three years subject to six-monthly visits by the accrediting body, the British Standards Institution (BSI).

The project was led by Andy Starkey, Nippon Gohsei’s compliance manager, and Steve Brook, HSE manager, who said: “We operate a highly sophisticated chemicals manufacturing facility which requires a 100 per cent commitment to health and safety.”

“Our safety performance has been excellent, improving year on year, with zero incidents in the last financial year, demonstrating the comprehensive process and occupation safety management system we already have in place.

“Achieving OHSAS 18001 will enable us to build on this positive safety culture even further and allow us to engage with everyone at Nippon Gohsei, including contractors and visitors, in all aspects of health and safety.”

Additional advantages include identifying and controlling hazards, engaging and motivating staff with a better understanding of safety and safe working conditions, while demonstrating compliance to Nippon Gohsei’s customers and suppliers.

The company already has the International Standard for Quality, ISO 9001, and for Environment, ISO 14001.

Next year OHSAS 18001 is changing to an International Standard ISO 45001.

Nippon Gohsei produces Soarnol, the trade name for ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), which is commonly used as a barrier layer in food packaging and other applications, including for construction, agriculture and cosmetics products.

It is the UK’s only producer of Soarnol and one of only three worldwide and started manufacturing the product at Saltend Chemicals Park in 2004.

The company employs 120 people, the majority at Saltend, the remainder at its Marfleet Environmental Technology Park site which produces bespoke grades of Soarnol.

For further Media information about Nippon Gohsei, please contact Catherine Ackroyd or Julian Woodford at Mapa, 01482 976976, catherine@mapapr.co.uk or julian@mapapr.co.uk