Crown Fine Art is understood to have become the first major fine art handling company to achieve the international standard for health and safety in the UK.

The internationally recognised accreditation, OHSAS 18001, covers all three of Crown’s UK sites; London, Uffington and Dean Hill. Measured over the course of many months, the certificate ensures the company has put in place the correct risk management assessments, policies and procedures required to achieve the best possible working conditions.

David Preston, General Manager, Crown Fine Art said: “We’re over the moon to have achieved this international quality badge; it’s all part of our ongoing commitment to delivering best in class service.” All employees at Crown Fine Art, who often move works of art which are exceptionally heavy, large, fragile or awkward to move, will be trained to this quality standard.

David added: “Our team is highly skilled and accustomed to operating in challenging situations. However this certificate means they can feel reassured that they really are trained to the highest level and that we have the correct policies and processes in place to protect them.”

Crown Fine Art has stored and transported some of the world’s most well-loved and priceless works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Vemeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.

Photo:  Crown technicians working with one of the largest easel paintings in Britain - a John Singleton Copley piece measuring almost 8m by 7m.