AN IN-DEPTH look at Weston College’s health and safety policy has resulted in a five-star award – the only college in the UK to receive such an honour this year.

Inspectors from the British Safety Council spent five days in October examining every aspect of the college’s approach to safety management arrangements and the effectiveness of their implementation.

After the visit, the inspectors calculated that the college had scored 4,658 out of a possible 5,000 points, earning it the coveted five-star award.

The college’s environmental services officer, Rory O’Connor, said: “When you have more than 450 employees and 12,000 students, from a health and safety point of view it can feel like walking on eggshells.

“But the report acknowledged that we are working way above the minimum standard of compliance.”