This news release issued by CHILDREN 1st

Aberdeen (22 January 2007) -- An initiative to create an accident-free work-place saw CHILDREN 1st receive a generous £1,000 donation from ExxonMobil and Mansell.

Both companies run the safety incentive scheme, which aims to improve safety in the work-place and support local charities. Mansell is currently refurbishing ExxonMobil’s city centre offices. Following an accident-free three months at their Grampian House site, ExxonMobil’s Facilities Services Supervisor Graham Allan and Mansell's Project Manager Jim Hutchison presented the quarterly cheque to CHILDREN 1st, which works with some of the North East’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

Having already passed the half-way mark of the refurbishment of Grampian House, Graham and Jim are confident that the site can remain accident-free for another year.

On a daily basis, construction management and site operatives sweep the site – not with a brush, but with a safety score board and pen. From the wearing of hard hats to safety toolbox presentations, ExxonMobil and Mansell staff and contractors are making a positive impact on the companies’ aim of ensuring that 'Nobody Gets Hurt'.

Said Graham: “Like the guilt, misery and pain caused by not wearing a seat belt whilst driving, the penalty on a construction site can be just as devastating for not wearing a hard hat. Accidents on construction sites come at high cost, the most costly being the pain and suffering from injury or, at worst, death.” Jim continued: “It is sad that the construction industry spends upwards of 5 per cent of the total project cost on safety and yet accidents still occur. We all need to change our safety behaviours.”

Graham and Jim believe that everyone is responsible for safety, but they could not have achieved this milestone without the support and co-operation of their staff and contractors.

Regional Manager for CHILDREN 1st Seona Shand said: “We are delighted to be the recipients of this quarterly award and overjoyed to hear that it was as a direct result of a safety campaign. CHILDREN 1st has expanded considerably over the past three years and, as a result, we are helping more of Scotland’s children and young people than ever before. Every pound raised makes a real difference.”

Notes to Editors

CHILDREN 1st is the working name of the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, which for 120 years has been working to give every child in Scotland a safe and secure childhood. CHILDREN 1st supports families under stress, protects children from harm and neglect, helps them recover from abuse, and promotes children's rights and interests.

CHILDREN 1st provides 40 services in 23 local authority areas as well as five national services, including ParentLine Scotland (0808 800 2222), the free, national telephone helpline for parents and carers. Vsit www.children1st.org.uk for more information about how we work to keep children safe in Scotland.