The Kent-based mill, which employs 368 people, has progressively reduced its accident rate since the start of the Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee (PABIAC) in 1998 from 41 to five in 2002, climbing some 62 places to 19th in the Health & Safety league table.

Paper Federation director of employment services Tim Watts acknowledged the progress made, but said some mills still needed to show improvements in health and safety records.

The award was presented to M-real at the recent Paper Federation Safety Day, held in London. Guests heard that despite a 30% fall in fatal and major accidents, the paper industry had failed to meet its goal of halving serious accidents by April 2001, and still had a long way to go.

The safety day also recognised the following mills achievements in improving their safety records.

• Celltech International and St Regis Paper Cos Sudbrook Mill both achieved a 63 point reduction in accident rates to a zero level.



• Henry Cooke, Kimberly Clark, Flint, Smith Anderson & Co and St. Regis Paper Cos Taplow Mill were awarded "Model Performance" for consistently achieving fewer than 12 accidents per 1,000 people from 1998 to date.

Story by Andy Scott