Excell Achieves Highest Health & Safety Rating

2 September 2004

Media Release

Excell Achieves Highest Health & Safety Rating

Excell Corporation has achieved Partnership Programme status with ACC in recognition of its commitment to superior on the job health and safety procedures. This is the highest level of achievement possible and is a goal the Company has been working towards for more than two years.

Partnership status enables an organisation to act as an agent of ACC, allowing it to manage workplace injuries and provide entitlements under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act in relation to work related injury and illness. The programme encourages employers to take responsibility for workplace health, safety and injury management, including rehabilitation and claims management.

ACC Chief Executive Garry Wilson says, “Only the most professional and responsible organisations are prepared to integrate health and safety as part of their corporate culture.”

Excell is New Zealand’s leading provider of infrastructure maintenance services to both the public and private sectors including open space management, environment services, water and drainage services, and property and roading services. As such its staff are involved in tasks as varied as mowing public parks, collecting town litter, vegetation control and public toilet cleaning.

Excell Chief Executive David Geor says, “We make health and safety a priority for our business. We have implemented standards that protect both employees and the public and are thrilled our efforts have been recognised in this way.

“We’ve also learned that investing in high quality health and safety procedures makes good business sense. Our professional systems are appreciated by our clients and give us a significant competitive advantage when tendering for contracts.” The accreditation process began in May 2001 when Excell achieved level two Workplace Safety Management Practices certification, followed by level three certification in October 2002. This recognises safe systems and procedures and results in a discounted ACC premium.

Last year Excell applied to enter the ACC Partnership Programme to achieve a Full Self Cover Plan. The application process includes meeting eligibility criteria and undertaking an independent audit of workplace safety management, claims and case management systems. Excell was approved and has been self insuring/self managing since April this year.

ENDS

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