Sandwell Leisure Trust has become the first leisure trust in the UK to achieve the top Gold Standard in the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.

The awards have been running since 1956 to recognise excellence in work-related health and safety performance by private and public sector organisations.

Steve Bartley, assistant operations manager at Sandwell, said: “Senior management and members of the Health and Safety Consultative Committee offered valuable support along the way.

“Sandwell is the first leisure trust in the country to be recognised for its commitment to health and safety by RoSPA.

“We are delighted with this significant achievement, the award is a reflection of the collaborative approach to Health and Safety that exists within Sandwell Leisure Trust.”

David Rawlins, RoSPA awards manager added: “Sandwell Leisure Trust has demonstrated how seriously it takes health and safety management and is a fine example to many other companies. We would like to see more organisations taking its lead.”

Photograph: Steve Bartley being presented the award by Chris Williams with the other SLT centre managers, assistant operations managers, and operations manager