At Fortoak and UK Labels, the health, safety and wellbeing of our people is a top priority. Our employees are our greatest asset, and providing them with a safe and secure working environment is a commitment on which we will not compromise.
As part of our continued investment in our facilities, we have recently completed a significant programme of site improvements designed to further enhance safety across our operations.
The upgrades include the installation of two new fire exits serving our upstairs and downstairs office areas, together with a new emergency escape route for colleagues working on the main mezzanine. These improvements strengthen our emergency evacuation arrangements and ensure our facilities continue to meet the needs of our growing operation.
We have also made a significant investment in a new and upgraded C-TEC CFP Series fire alarm system, replacing the previous system which was no longer adequate for the scale and requirements of our operation. The new system includes an upgraded control panel and new wiring throughout the facility, and manages designated fire detection zones across the warehouse, production hall and offices. It is also directly connected to a central monitoring station, providing an enhanced level of protection and supporting a rapid response in the event of an alarm activation.
In addition, we have installed a new Paxton Access Control System throughout the facility, giving us greater control over access to different areas of the site and further enhancing the safety and security of our people, premises and operations.
We have also installed two new cantilever safety gates for the safe movement of pallets to and from our mezzanine areas. The new gates replace the previous system and provide a safer and more effective solution for our warehouse and production teams.
In addition, we have extended our main site access gate, providing improved access for HGVs entering and leaving the facility and helping to make vehicle movements around the site safer and more efficient.
A Team-Wide Commitment to Safety
Investment in infrastructure is only one part of our approach. Creating and maintaining a safe workplace requires involvement from across the business, which is why we have an established cross-functional Health & Safety team that meets every month.
Bringing together colleagues from different functions and areas of the business gives us a broader perspective on workplace safety. The team reviews current practices, discusses potential risks and opportunities for improvement, and helps ensure that health and safety remains firmly on the agenda throughout Fortoak and UK Labels.
This collaborative approach is important to us. The people working within our operations every day are often best placed to identify opportunities for improvement, and our Health & Safety team provides a regular forum for those ideas and observations to be shared and acted upon.
Continuing to Invest
The improvements completed so far form part of a wider programme of investment, and we are not stopping here. Further health and safety projects are already planned as we continue to review our facilities, equipment and working practices and identify where additional investment can make a positive difference.
“For us, health and safety isn’t simply about meeting requirements – it’s about building a culture where the wellbeing of our people is considered in every decision we make. Our people are our greatest asset, and as Fortoak and UK Labels continue to develop and grow, so too will our investment in creating the best possible working environment for our teams. The improvements we have made are significant, but we are not stopping here. We have further investments planned as we continue to improve our facilities, equipment and working practices. Our commitment is clear: to continually invest, improve and work together to make Fortoak and UK Labels a safer and more secure place for everyone.” – Simon McCouaig, Managing Director, Fortoak Group