The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive has seen at first hand the initiative to create a safe and efficient work culture during the assembly of the two largest warships ever built in the UK.

Judith Hackitt visited Rosyth Shipyard in Scotland recently to meet senior members of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) and hear about how the main companies are working together to ensure the safety of workers involved in the construction of aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

The Fife yard has undergone large-scale redevelopment in order to assemble these ships including new cranes and dock redevelopment.

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Ms Hackitt heard about an ACA initiative called "Proud to be Safe" which encourages workers to take pride in operating safe practices.

Judith Hackitt said: "It is encouraging to see the commitment to create a safe work environment for the whole project team at Rosyth. Strong leadership on health and safety is essential on projects of this scale and encouraging workers to take ownership of health and safety promotes a spirit of teamwork and co-operation.

"Safety is an integral part of achieving success on this major project, not an add-on."

Ms Hackitt's visit to Rosyth included the chance to hear about the construction of the aircraft carriers, a tour of HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Goliath crane and syncrolift, and a meeting with the trades unions to hear about safety initiatives.

ACA's "Proud to Be Safe" campaign is being run with workers throughout 2012 to build on a commitment to keeping safety in the workplace as a top priority.

The ACA is made up of Babcock Marine, BAe Systems, Thales UK and the Ministry of Defence.

(GK)