8th April 2009

As the UK’s leading supplier of safety clothing and equipment, Arco is widely recognised as an expert in providing advice, services and safety solutions for businesses throughout the UK and beyond.  It is therefore committed to providing a safe working environment for its staff at all times.

Recent studies have shown that people using hands-free phones while driving are just as likely to have a car crash as those using hand-held phones.(1) From the 30th March, Arco employees were banned from using mobile phones and associated hands free technology whilst driving on company business to ensure their safety.  The campaign is supported by Judith Hackitt, Chair, Health and Safety Executive, who says: "This is a good example of leadership in action. A company whose business is health and safety needs to lead by example with its own workforce".

In order to avoid any disruption in customer service levels, the company has introduced a new customer contact strategy for field based employees who spend long periods in their car visiting customers, with calls diverted to alternative team members who will be able to answer immediate enquiries. This will ensure that customers will continue to receive excellent service from Arco while employees stay safe.

Sandra Bateson, Arco’s HR Director explains: “The safety of our employees is very important to us. We are particularly interested in the safety of our field-based staff who are travelling around the country providing support and expertise to our customers and we plan to lead the way on improving the safety of our staff and other road users with the introduction of this initiative.  Arco is enabling its staff to use a safer way to keep in touch.”

As part of its campaign to highlight safe use of mobile phones, Arco has introduced recycling bins to it’s 39 branches across the UK to encourage its customers and the local community to recycle their unused or unwanted mobile phones. According to environmental resource Green Uses for Waste, it is estimated that there are nearly 90 million unused mobile phones hiding in drawers and cupboards across the UK alone. More surprisingly, only 20% of all unused mobile phones in the UK are recycled.

Sandra Bateson continues: “The money raised from these mobile phones will be donated to the Jo Martin Cancer Care Trust (2), our nominated charity, in order to raise much needed funds for cancer research.”

(1) Just MA, Keller TA, Cynkar J. A decrease in brain activation associated with driving when listening to someone speak. Brain Research. 2008.
(2) Jo Martin, who died last year age 39, was Arco’s Joint Managing Director and  a strong advocate for the power of business to benefit the community.