West's UK plants win BRMA's health and safety award

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Lionville, Pennsylvania-Polymer closure supplier West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. said 18 Jan 2006 that its two production plants in the UK-at St Austell and Bodmin, both in Cornwall-have won the 2005 Annual Health and Safety Award from the British Rubber Manufacturers Association (BRMA).

"We're very proud of our employees across these sites and that West has won this prestigious award, "said Robert Keating, West's president, Europe and Asia Pacific, Pharmaceutical Systems Division, in a company announcement. Keating added that the award demonstrates the group's commitment to quality service for customers, with parts made "under conditions that are safe for both employees and the environment on a daily basis."

West's statement added that, "this prestigious award is presented to companies in the UK that have achieved the rubber industry's best safety record and are proactive in improving health and safety management.'"

The BRMA gives the award to companies with a commitment to safety policy who can provide evidence of improved health and safety practice throughout the year.

Abid Dost, director of Health, Safety and the Environment at the BRMA, commented that companies considered for the Annual Health and Safety Award, "must have robust systems in place for the management of health and safety. West Pharmaceutical Services has shown a sustained improvement in health and safety management. We are delighted to present them with this award."

West is a major supplier of polymeric parts for syringes and other drug-delivery devices, and is one of the largest suppliers of elastomeric closures in the pharmceutical sector.