Vacu-Lug gains safety accreditation

Vacu-Lug Traction Tyres Limited is one of the latest group of successful companies to join a leading edge scheme, designed to help industry improve its safety record. The Grantham, Lincolnshire-based firm recently received accreditation from SAFEcontractor, a programme which recognises high standards of health and safety practice amongst UK contractors.

“As an accredited SAFEcontractor, we are obligated to ensure our Service Providers comply with the appropriate health and safety requirements at all times while they are working on our behalf,” explained Vacu-Lug’s operations director Neil Marston.  “Accordingly, we have now put a programme into place to verify the operations and activities of our partner companies and are looking forward to playing our part in helping uplift the standards of health and safety at work.”

Employing 175 people, Vacu-Lug is principally involved in the manufacture of retread tyres and the provision of tyre fleet management services. Specialising in the commercial vehicle industry and with a £22 million turnover, the company is a leading player in its field, and as such serves a range of blue chip clients.

SAFEcontractor accreditation is expected to enhance the company’s ability to attract new contracts and its commitment to safety will be viewed positively by its insurers when the company liability policy is up for renewal.

John Kinge, head of risk at SAFEcontractor said: “Major organisations can no longer run the risk of employing contractors who are not able to prove that they have sound health and safety policies. More companies need to understand the importance of adopting good risk management in the way that Vacu-Lug has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example, which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector”.

Under the SAFEcontractor system, businesses undergo a vetting process, which examines health and safety procedures and their track record for safe practice. Those companies meeting the high standard are included on a database, which is accessible to registered users only.