The firm says it has an enduring commitment to improving people’s health, and places a strong emphasis on continually improving the health and safety of its employees. This includes the implementation in 1994 of its global SAFE Fleet programme, which educates and trains employees about safe driving techniques and injury prevention strategies.

SAFE Fleet has led to significant reductions in fleet crashes and injury rates; the company’s crashes per million miles driven (CPMM) rate has decreased by 37% globally since its introduction. Johnson & Johnson has also set new internal performance targets for SAFE Fleet as part of its five-year sustainability goals, which will be announced later this year.

'The goal of SAFE Fleet is to ensure that our drivers around the world return home safely at the end of each day – to their benefit and the benefit of their families and communities,' said Alex Gorsky, vice chairman, Executive Committee, Johnson & Johnson, and executive sponsor of SAFE Fleet. 'We’re honored to receive this award and grateful for the attention such an award brings to this critical issue.'

The firm's road safety achievements have been recognised with the the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award, which was presented by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO during a special ceremony at the Johnson & Johnson High Wycombe facility.

'I am delighted to recognise Johnson & Johnson for its outstanding achievements in road safety worldwide,' said Prince Michael. 'The need for enhanced road safety is one of the most intractable of world problems and I applaud the company as a fine example to the private sector of what can be done to address this global endemic. Urgent action is needed today and during the forthcoming decade of action to help reduce these tragic, yet preventable deaths and injuries.'