Brandix
takes Gold at the Industrial Safety Awards
The Brandix Group bagged three awards in recognition
of their efforts in minimising risks and occupational hazards
at the work place, at the Industrial Safety Awards 2006, held
at the BMICH on August 25, 2006.
Brandix Casualwear Limited, Seeduwa carried away the grand
prize – the All Island Safety Award for large-scale
companies, while the first runner up in the same category
was Comfortwear Limited, Watupitiwala – a subsidiary
of Brandix. Brandix Intimate Apparels Limited, Mirigama won
a Merit award.
The event was organised by the Industrial Safety Division
of the Department of Labour and was sponsored by the Industrial
Safety Equipment Company (ISEC). Applications were called
through the media and organizations in the manufacturing,
service and construction sectors were eligible. A total of
164 applications were evaluated by a committee comprising
a Group of Senior Engineers from the Industrial Safety Division,
of the Department of Labour.
There were three main categories for the awards – small,
medium and large scale. Provincial awards were made depending
on the numbers of competitors from the various provinces while
the selection for sector awards was dependent on the number
of applications.
A stringent audit was conducted by the panel to verify the
information submitted by the applicants. The audit included
the inspection of workplaces, conducting interviews with the
management and obtaining photographic records. Compliance
with the Factories Ordinance Act as well as other major risk
factors outlined in the criteria for evaluation was considered.
The All Island Safety Award is awarded in recognition of a
company, which has taken significant steps to manage safety
and health risks at the work place as well as using risk assessment
to eliminate or reduce risks at work. It is also to encourage
companies to go beyond minimum compliance. The promotion of
safety awareness and accident prevention also yields results
and rewards that are better measured not in rupees and cents
or statistics, but in the immeasurable enrichment of a countless
number of lives.
The Hon. Kumar Welgama, Minister of Industrial Development
presented the All Island Safety award and the first runners
up award for the large-scale category to the jubilant Brandix
team. Addressing the gathering Minister Welgama said “I
congratulate all those who emerged as winners in the Industrial
Safety Awards 2006. This shows the commitment and the determination
of all participants in their pursuit of promoting a safe work
culture.” He went on to say “The winners no doubt
understand that occupational safety is vitally important for
business. Companies that have a strong record with safety
know that that reflects positively on business”.
With its vision “to be the inspired solution for branded
clothing”, Brandix believes that inspiration begins
with its people. Accordingly, Brandix has initiated several
employee benefit schemes beyond those that are legally mandated
to increase both the productivity and motivation of its workforce.
These include employee assistance schemes relating to education,
housing and health. It is also an equal opportunity employer
that firmly respects the rights of it 18,500 employees.
The company is also a member of the Worldwide Responsible
Apparel Production (WRAP) Certification Programme and firmly
adheres to its principles, ensuring that apparel is produced
under lawful, humane and ethical conditions. It also follows
SA 8000 social accountability standards and was recently awarded
the Occupational Safety & Health Assessment Series (OSHAS):
18001:1999 an accreditation that encourages continuous improvement
in workplace health and safety.
30th August, 2006 |
