Kier Group awarded key health & safety standard

Top UK building contractor, Kier Group plc, has today (23 June 2003) been awarded a major occupational health and safety management standard by the British Standards Institution (BSI).

OHSAS 18001 is an assessment specification for occupational health and safety management systems. It was developed by BSI to enable companies to meet their health and safety obligations. Implementing an occupational health and safety (OHS ) system is now a legal requirement in many countries. OHSAS 18001 was specifically designed to help companies keep up with legislation and reduce the risk of accidents and litigation.

Presenting the award to Kier Group Chairman and Chief Executive, Colin Busby, who is also Chairman of the Major Contractors Group (MCG), BSI's Managing Director of Management Systems (EMEA), Neil Hannah, said:

"Kier Group has the distinction of being among the first in the world to be certified to this exacting standard. By pursuing the Major Contractors Group safety targets, the company has raised awareness of health and safety issues not only throughout its own businesses, but also across the supply chain.

"The company began its programme to achieve OHSAS 18001 last year. The complexity and variety of its activities led to some very disciplined and innovative assessment planning in order to reach this goal and ensure that BSI met its rigorous accreditation controls. The result is a template for the application of the standard within the entire building and construction industry."

_ENDS_

For more information please contact:

Wilma Tulloch on +44 (0)20 8996 6330 OR
Marc Edney on +44 (0)20 8996 6330