Openfield reaps success at the 2023 Safety & Health Excellence Awards
5th May 2023
Openfield’s health, safety and environment manager Mark Smith was recognised at the 2023 Safety & Health Excellence Awards for his significant contribution to the implementation and enhancement of health, safety and wellbeing standards at the company.
Mark Smith (centre) receiving his award from TV personality Tess Daly and Simon Fletcher, sales director at RS Group UK & Ireland, the award’s sponsor.
After defeating stiff competition from 11 other contenders across a wide range of industries, Openfield’s Mark Smith has emerged as the Health & Safety Manager of the Year in recognition of his efforts promoting the safety and wellbeing of staff at Britain’s only national grain marketing and arable inputs co-operative.
This prestigious award, which is run in conjunction with the British Safety Industry Federation, is a culmination of Mr Smith’s dedicated work over the last three years, throughout which he has engaged with his colleagues in a collaborative and enthusiastic way to raise the profile of and improve health, safety and wellbeing.
His external successes include:
- Introducing Openfield’s agricultural fatality notifications to members, helping improve awareness of accidents and sharing information about how such incidents can be avoided
- Designed a bespoke fall arrest and rescue system, based on wind turbine rescue technology, for their Colsterworth site’s grain store to prevent falls from heights and allowing rescue if required
- Becoming a Chartered Fellow and Mentor of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) in September 2022 – IOSH’s highest level of professional membership. Fellowship is only awarded to Chartered Members of at least five years’ standing who demonstrate outstanding dedication to the profession by going ‘above and beyond’
- Developing a bespoke two-module Health and Safety Course which all 200 Openfield colleagues have attended.
Commenting on Mr Smith’s achievement, Openfield’s head of HR Gaynor Hannen said: “We’ve always known that Mark is passionate about improving our Health, Safety and Wellbeing. He is committed to promoting the highest standards in the occupational safety and health community when engaging with our members and colleagues.
It’s fantastic to see that this hard work is now recognised externally by the Safety & Health Excellence Awards.”
