The Ceramic Sector Health and Safety Pledge Scheme

The Pledge Scheme was set up almost 25 years ago to promote and support continual improvement in health and safety performance in the ceramics sector.

Pledge focuses on improving the health, safety and wellbeing performance of the ceramics sector. As set out in the Pledge Phase 5 Strategy, this is achieved by:

Engaging with industry and other stakeholders
Identifying priority workstreams
Developing and implementing a clear work plan
The identification of KPIs and the measurement, monitoring and reporting of performance.

The Pledge Board oversees the development and delivery of the Pledge strategy and annual Pledge Conference and Awards. It is made up of representatives from the different ceramics sub sectors within Ceramics UK, the HSE and the GMB and Unite Trade Unions. It is chaired by Ceramics UK.

Ceramics UK is a member of CHARGE. This is a high-level forum where the HSE, Trade Unions and the wider minerals industry (glass and glazing, ceramics, cement, concrete and stoneworkers), work together and share information and ideas to support improved standards of health and safety.

There are five priority workstreams for Pledge:

Leadership
Occupational health and wellbeing
Risk management
Environment and equipment
Monitoring and reporting.

More information can be found on the Pledge roadmap here.

Pledge Conference and Awards

Every year, Ceramics UK hosts the Pledge Awards Ceremony and Conference to recognise and celebrate health and safety achievements in the UK ceramics sector while sharing best practice across the network.

Vision: To work together (Industry, Ceramics UK, HSE and Trade Unions) to drive continual improvement in health, safety and wellbeing performance in the UK ceramics industry.

Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the 2024 conference focused on the crucial issue of mental health in the workplace. Featuring inspiring speakers from Ridgway Mental Health, Diverse Minds UK, Eversheds Sutherland, and keynote speaker Alex Staniforth, the conference provided valuable insights and practical strategies for promoting positive mental wellbeing among employees.

2024 Award Winners:

Pledge Award of Excellence: Forterra PLC
Highly Commended: Wienerberger UK
Company Health & Safety Awards: Denby Pottery Co Ltd, DSF Refractories & Minerals Ltd, Forterra PLC, Ibstock PLC, Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC, Steelite International, Wienerberger UK and York Handmade Brick Company Ltd
Contractors Awards: E J Parkers, GE Services, Greenfields Countryside Ltd, Hannafin Contractors Limited, Refferty, Socotec UK, Sweeptech Environmental, Toureen, United Air Power Limited and Woodward Group Limited
Emerging Talent: Jamie Scott, Ibstock PLC
Individual Recognition Awards: DSF Refractories & Minerals LTD (Leah Goodwin, Bradley Fotherby, Allan Potts, Liam Ball), Forterra PLC (Jeremy Swain, Edward Storer, Ian Loftus, Chris Purcell, Ben Gunter, Adrian Quince, Carrie Taylor, Liam Gutteridge, Chris Williams, Kerry Meacham, Adam Bradford) Ibstock PLC (Natasha Colliss, Martin Jarvis, Chris White, Josh Revitt, Nathan Johnson, Zac Payne, Colin Keates, John Stanway, Tom Arrowsmith, Sam Murphy, Chris Ward, Jake Cherry, Dean Lewis, Nikki Moore, David Challinor, Dale Humphrey, Chris Henderson, Darren Butcher, Leigh Newbold, Joe Campion), Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC (Billy Blackshaw, Mark Isherwood, Dean Hampson, Phiilip Holley, Tony Fidell), Wienerberger UK (Paul Davies, Divan Jerling, Gavin Masser, Adam Cooper, Cameron Percival, Lynsey Masn, Mark Asson, Sally Webster, Matthew Frost, Jamie Burns, Neil Bishop)