BOC Gases achieves FTA Ireland’s silver level of accreditation

BOC Gases is the first company to achieve FTA Ireland’s silver level of accreditation, recognising its high standards of safety and compliance.  The award was announced at FTAI’s council meeting today (Tuesday). 
 
The membership accreditation scheme – the first of its type in Ireland – has been designed by FTAI with input from members themselves and is recognised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

 
Sally Thornley, FTA’s Director of Standards, Audit and Accreditation, said: “This is a significant achievement for the FTAI accreditation scheme and its members.  The scheme was introduced to improve compliance levels and industry image, both within Ireland and abroad.  A silver accreditation means that the organisation has not only put in place a broad range of safety-related standards by way of an annual audit, but also that those systems are being implemented through additional vehicle and driver encounters as well as a site implementation audit.
 
“This important milestone shows that, through this voluntary scheme, industry can recognise good practice and make a positive contribution to improving road safety.”
 
Niall Cotton, Head of Deliver Ireland, BOC Gases, said: “I am delighted that BOC has been awarded this Silver standard following a very comprehensive audit and accreditation process.  For BOC and our parent company, The Linde Group, road transport safety is paramount: safety at BOC means 100% compliance 100% of the time.
 
“This achievement is well-deserved recognition of the ongoing efforts the entire team here at BOC Gases, Ireland has invested in safety over a number of years.  Every member of the team – from our supporting service providers, front line drivers, fleet services to transport managers – should be proud of their contribution to this achievement.
 
“The team at FTA Ireland has worked extensively in developing and improving standards with its members and other key stakeholders from its launch in 2010.”

Neil McDonnell, FTA Ireland General Manager, said: “We’re delighted to have completed the pilot program for our higher levels of accreditation.  We are sincerely grateful to BOC Gases and the other companies who assisted the accreditation working group.  Silver and Gold accreditation not only demonstrate a company’s determination to run leaner, better operations, they provide a revenue stream to those companies which can show a reduction in their fuel usage.”