THE Wilton International chemicals site, in Redcar, east Cleveland, has become the first multi-company operation to get maximum five-star rating for health and safety.

The British Safety Council (BSC), one of the world's leading independent workplace safety bodies, praised the seven companies on the site.

Huntsman, DuPont, Uniqema, DuPontSA, Dow, SembCorp Utilities Teesside and px limited will receive an award at a ceremony later this year.

David Ballard, director general of the BSC, said: "The Wilton International companies can take great pride in winning this award.

"Successful businesses manage health and safety like every other part of the business.

"Implementing effective safety and health-related management systems at the outset can help to reduce costs, improve profitability and assure employees that their safety is at the heart of the business."

Felix O'Hare, Uniqema site general manager, said: "This shows that we can work together to achieve extremely high standards in important areas such as health and safety."