United Kingdom
Protection of human life is the first step in assuring lasting community progress; thus, safety plays an important, if sometimes under-recognized, role in sustainability. Some examples from the UK:
Road Safety and Awareness
For many years, Chevron has sponsored safety projects in Wales. Texaco (now Chevron) started the road safety theme in Pembrokeshire in the early 1990s, with the help of the local authorities and police. Projects include competitions and Safety Awareness days involving some 70 schools.
Subsequently, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) approached Texaco to sponsor its new Community Awards program for Wales. The awards recognize people in communities across Wales for improving road safety. Past winners have included school traffic patrols, junior traffic wardens to discourage illegal parking, and a program to reduce alcohol-related road deaths.
Starting in 2002, Chevron began sponsoring crossing patrols at all schools in Pembrokeshire. Stage one calls for obtaining safety clothing for patrol personnel. To support the initiative, the company developed “Tex Tank,” a cartoon character, and a slogan, “Take It Slow, Children on the Go.” The messages are displayed throughout the community, such as on buses, to promote road safety near schools.
Pembrokeshire Star Awards (Child Injury Prevention Group)
Chevron, in association with the Child Injury Prevention Group in Wales (CIPG), has created the Star Award ceremony, acknowledging all Pembrokeshire children who have shown immense courage or bravery during disasters, accidents, or illness, or displayed outstanding citizenship in the community.
Parents and teachers nominate children for the awards and all nominees receive a gift and recognition. Past honorees have included seriously ill children who showed courage in dealing with their condition, and youngsters who acted bravely in emergencies.
In 2002, Texaco initiated a Safety Day for Schools in the Pembrokeshire area to encourage safety through a local school competition. Junior students create a painting, collage, or model on a road safety theme and enter it in the competition. Prize money is presented to the schools of winning students on Safety Day. In its first year, the project drew 700 entries and continues as an annual event.