(July 24, 2008) Andy Keech, Polestar Health & Safety Manager, has qualified as an authorised trainer for the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health's 'Managing Safely' course. He will now be able to deliver the course across Polestar.

'Managing Safely' is designed to give managers all they need to know to help them handle health and safety in their teams. The programme covers all the main health and safety issues, risk assessment and control, hazards, accidents and incidents, and measuring performance. The course also includes a session on the environment.

Delegates must successfully complete written and practical assessments to be awarded an IOSH certificate in Managing Safely. As part of his own training, Andy ran the course at Sheffield over a five-week period, which saw eight senior managers pass the exam and complete assessments successfully. He says: "I applied some time ago to the IOSH for a licence to become an authorised trainer and I am delighted that they were satisfied with my delivery and marking of the course to my colleagues in Sheffield."

He continues: "I can now roll this out across the group, complementing Polestar's commitment to health and safety with regard to promoting management ownership."

Polestar Chief Operating Officer Catherine Hearn comments: ''Andy is to be congratulated both for the idea of bringing this training in-house and for his commitment to improving our health and safety culture. I also appreciate the time and effort managers on the pilot put in to completing the training so well.''