EDP announces that Microsoft, one of its longest standing customers, has won the coveted Sword of Honour award for the third successive year. This is a tremendous testament to the highly responsible attitude of Microsoft management and employees to ensure the highest standards of safety and welfare for its whole workforce.

EDP has been advising Microsoft UK on matters of health and safety for well over a decade, but it was only 3 years ago that Microsoft decided to really test the quality of its arrangements by submitting them to independent external scrutiny.

That first year, it achieved a 5-star grading from the British Safety Council, which made it eligible to compete for the Health and Safety Sword of Honour award – an award that is only made to the top 40 companies world-wide.

Microsoft was awarded a sword of honour at the very first attempt and it have gone on to repeat the award for three years in a row.

This demonstrates that the systems and processes operated by Microsoft are among the best in the world and it also demonstrates the whole health and safety philosophy has permeated to every part of the organisation.

The British Safety Council said:

“The Sword of Honour is the most prestigious international health and safety accolade that a company can receive, and it is designed to encourage and reward organisations that work to best practice. Inaugurated in 1979, every year only 40 swords are awarded world-wide, so winners can be assured that they are elite organisations that boast first class health and safety for their employees."

The actual awards will be presented by Nina Wrightson OBE, Chairman of the Trustees of the British Safety Council at a ceremony that is planned to be held in November.

This is an enviable record for any company and the team of EDP consultants is justly proud to be an essential part of this great achievement.

About the British Safety Council and 'Sword of Honour' Award

The British Safety Council is one of the world's leading occupational health, safety and environmental organisations. Founded in 1957, its mission is to support a healthier, safer and more sustainable society. More information can be found on the BSC Website.

The Sword of Honour is an award that was inaugurated in 1979 to encourage and recognise the achievement of organisations whose first-class health and safety management is amongst the very best in the world.

Read the British Safety Council press release at http://www.britsafe.org/download/award-schemes/Sword-of-Honour-Press-Release.pdf

For further information please visit www.edp-uk.com

EDP is a specialist health, safety and environment consultancy operating from strategic locations throughout the UK. They can provide guidance, support and training for companies who may wish to outsource their entire system for health, safety and the environment or can offer a modular approach, working closely with key senior management and Facilities and HR personnel. Regardless of size or sector, EDP has an extensive range of services for all aspects of health, safety and environment compliance.