Web offset giant BGP has become the first UK printer to achieve 100% in the BPIF's health and safety seal of excellence certification.

The certification scheme, launched earlier this year, aims to help printers show their customers how they have improved their performance in certain areas.

 BGP was audited under the certification scheme last month, after attaining a 93% score in the Seal of Excellence Awards Health & Safety category earlier in 2011.

BGP health and safety manager Neil Ironmonger said: "Following our achievement at the awards, I called in Tom Rayer, the BPIF’s health and safety advisor for the South and West Midlands region to see if he could come in and put the company through a Seal of Excellence certification for health and safety, and hopefully help us to achieve the 100% mark."

BGP was audited on a range of areas including its management of health and safety; control of machinery hazards; slips and trips; workplace transport; skin care and occupational dermatitis and COSHH assessments.

A follow-up assessment to ensure the company is continuing to comply with the audit’s criteria is carried out every two years.