Leicester printer Taylor Bloxham is the first Midlands-based printer to achieve the British Printing Industries Federation (BPIF) Health and Safety Seal of Excellence Certification.

The company scored an amazing 93 per cent of the audit requirements and becomes one of only four companies to have achieved the certification so far in the UK.

Recognised as one of the largest independent lithographic printers in the UK, Taylor Bloxham has a history that spans over 70 years, during which time it has built up a reputation for high-quality print.

As a platinum member of the BPIF, Taylor Bloxham previously took advantage of the BPIF's free Health and Safety Health Check Report. The BPIF was so impressed with the company's excellent approach to health and safety it asked the company to take part in its new scheme – the Health and Safety Seal of Excellence Certification.

Taylor Bloxham demonstrated an excellent awareness of all health and safety procedures. It passed stringent checks covering a wide range of health and safety procedures, including risk assessment, ensuring training is up-to-date and that its Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessments were in place.

Taylor Bloxham's Group QHSE Officer Steve Doyle has been working closely with the BPIF to achieve this valued recognition for its health and safety practices. He says: "Achieving the certification further endorses Taylor Bloxham's commitment to the company's health and safety policy. We always set high safety standards and working practices to enable us to focus on the health and welfare of our employees, visitors and contractors while working on our premises."

Gaining the certification will provide the benchmark for continual improvement and possible future accreditation to OHSAS 18001.

The company has always taken its health and safety responsibilities seriously and was one of the first commercial printing organisations to gain accreditation to BS EN ISO14001 in May 2000 and has also achieved ISO9001.